Quaternary heteroatom containing compounds

ABSTRACT

The invention provides heterocyclic compounds with quaternary centers and methods of preparing compounds. Methods include the method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II): 
                         
comprising treating a compound of Formula (I):
 
                         
with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions as valence and stability permit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 16/049,434, filed on Jul. 30, 2018, which is a Continuation of Ser. No. 15/366,590, filed on Dec. 1, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,035,769, issued Jul. 31, 2018, which is a Continuation of Ser. No. 13/797,736, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/531,485, filed Jun. 22, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,822,679, issued Sep. 2, 2014, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/501,054, filed on Jun. 24, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with government support under Grant No. GM080269 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to quaternary nitrogen compounds useful as building blocks in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other compounds.

BACKGROUND

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are prevalent in numerous biologically active products that are the bases and templates for countless pharmaceuticals and other compounds used in many disciplines, including medicinal chemistry. A small sampling of some these compounds include aspidospermidine, fawcettimine, vinblastine, manzamine A, ethosuximide, aminoglutethimide and doxapram, depicted below.

Typically only one enantiomer of a compound exhibits biological activity, while the other enantiomer generally exhibits no activity, or substantially reduced activity. In addition, different stereoisomers of a compound often exhibit differences in biological activity. As such, a stereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of the target compound could theoretically produce pharmaceuticals or compounds with greater biological activity, and therefore, greater medicinal value. However, stereoselective and enantioselective syntheses of these types of compounds have proven very difficult. Indeed, most syntheses reported to date yield racemic mixtures of the various compounds. While some stereoselective methods for the synthesis of certain nitrogen containing heterocycles and their cyclic amine derivatives are known, only a sparse number of enantioselective methods exist. Additionally, most of these stereoselective methods use chiral auxiliary chemistry specific to the oxindole lactam nucleus or cyclic imides, both of which require enolate stabilization, thereby limiting the scope of each transformation.

SUMMARY

The invention provides heterocyclic compounds with quaternary centers and methods for preparing compounds with quaternary centers. The invention further provides methods for preparing compounds with quaternary centers. Specifically, the invention provides a method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II):

comprising treating a compound of Formula (I):

with a transition metal catalyst under alkylation conditions, wherein, as valence and stability permit,

ring B represents an optionally substituted heterocycle;

X is a heteroatom;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl.

The invention further provides compounds represented by Formulas (I) and (II).

The present invention further provides a method of preparation of a compound of Formula (IV):

comprising treating a compound of Formula (III):

with a transition metal catalyst under alkylation conditions, wherein, as valence and stability permit,

X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—;

Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—;

A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—;

W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

-   -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, R⁸         and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to         form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, and when n is         2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached         to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form a 3-8-membered ring;

R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and

n is 0-3.

The invention also comprises compounds represented by Formula (V):

or a tautomer and/or a salt thereof, wherein: X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—;

Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—;

A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—;

W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

-   -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, R⁸         and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to         form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, and when n is         2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached         to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form a 3-8-membered ring;

R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and

n is 0-3.

The invention further comprises compounds represented by Formula (VI):

or a tautomer and/or a salt thereof, wherein: X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—;

Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—;

A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—;

W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

-   -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, R⁸         and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to         form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, and when n is         2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached         to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form a 3-8-membered ring;

R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and

n is 0-3.

In embodiments of the present invention, a compound is represented by Formula A, Formula A(ii), Formula D or Formula D(i).

In Formula A, A(ii), D and D(i), z is 0 or 1; Q is a heteroatom; each of R1 through R11 and Ra through Rf is independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; each of d, e and f is independently an integer of 0 or greater; each of A, B and D is independently a carbon atom or a heteroatom; and two or more groups selected from R1 though R11, Ra through Rf and Y optionally combine to form a ring. In some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group. In some embodiments, R2 and Y combine to form a ring with Q, and the ring may be saturated or may include at least one double bond. In some embodiments, Q is N or O. When Q is N, R1 may be an amine protecting group. In some embodiments, however, R1 may be H or OH. For example, in some embodiments, z is 0 and R1 is either H or OH.

In some exemplary embodiments, the compound of Formula A may be a compound represented by Formula C.

In Formula C, z is 0 or 1; each of d, e and f is independently an integer of 0 or greater; Q1 is a heteroatom; and each of A, B and D is independently a heteroatom or a carbon atom. In some embodiments, R1 may be H or OH. For example, in some embodiments, z is 0 and R1 is either H or OH. In Formula C, R8 and R9 may optionally combine to form a carbonyl group such that the compound of Formula C is represented by Formula C(i).

In Formulae C and C(i), R1 and one Ra may combine to form a double bond, or one Rb and one Rc may combine to form a double bond, or one Rd and one Re may combine to form a double bond. In some embodiments, in Formulae C and C(i), one Ra and one Rb may combine to form a carbonyl group, or one Rc and one Rd may combine to form a carbonyl group, or one Re and one Rf may combine to form a carbonyl group. Also, in some embodiments, R1 is H or OH.

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula A, A(ii), D or D(i) is racemic, i.e., the compound includes a generally equimolar mixture of the (+) and (−) enantiomers of the compound. For example, in some embodiments, e.g., those in which z is 1, the compound is racemic. However, in some other embodiments, the compound of Formula A, A(ii), D or D(i) is enantioenriched, i.e., the compound includes more of one enantiomer than the other. For example, in some embodiments, e.g., in which z is 0, the compound may be an enantioenriched compound in which the compound includes one of the (+) or the (−) enantiomer in an enantiomeric excess of greater than 50%, for example greater than 60%, or greater than 70%, or greater than 80%, or greater than 90%.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method of making an enantioenriched heteroatom containing compound includes subjecting the compound of claim 1 to palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation using an electron poor ligand, a palladium-based catalyst, and a solvent. The electron poor ligand may be a ligand including an electron poor moiety selected from fluorine atoms, partially or fully fluorinated hydrocarbyl groups, partially or fully fluorinated heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, NO₂ groups and SO₂R groups, wherein R is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group. For example, the electron poor ligand may be a R′-PHOX ligand, where R′ is selected from (CF₃)₃ groups, partially or fully fluorinated hydrocarbyl groups, partially or fully fluorinated heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, NO₂ groups and SO₂R groups, wherein R is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a graph comparing the enantiomeric excess of different compounds prepared via a palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation process according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Definitions

The term “acyl” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbyl-C(O)—, such as alkyl-C(O)—.

The term “acylamino” is art-recognized and refers to an amino group substituted with an acyl group and may be represented, for example, by the formula hydrocarbyl-C(O)NH—.

The term “acyloxy” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbyl-C(O)O—, preferably alkyl-C(O)O—.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group having an oxygen attached thereto. Representative alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted with an alkoxy group and may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one double bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkenyls” and “substituted alkenyls”, the latter of which refers to alkenyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkenyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more double bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed below, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkenyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

The term “alkyl” refers to the radical of saturated aliphatic groups, including straight-chain alkyl groups, branched-chain alkyl groups, cycloalkyl (alicyclic) groups, alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups, and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups. In preferred embodiments, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl has 30 or fewer carbon atoms in its backbone, e.g., C₁-C₃₀ for straight chains, C₃-C₃₀ for branched chains, and more preferably 20 or fewer, e.g., C₁-C₃, C₁-C₆, C₁-C₉, C₁-C₁₂, C₁-C₁₅ and C₁-C₁₈. Likewise, preferred cycloalkyls have from 3-10 carbon atoms in their ring structure, and more preferably have 5, 6 or 7 carbons in the ring structure.

Moreover, the term “alkyl” (or “lower alkyl”) as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkyls” and “substituted alkyls”, the latter of which refers to alkyl moieties having substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents can include, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the moieties substituted on the hydrocarbon chain can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. For instance, the substituents of a substituted alkyl may include substituted and unsubstituted forms of amino, azido, imino, amido, phosphoryl (including phosphonate and phosphinate), sulfonyl (including sulfate, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl and sulfonate), and silyl groups, as well as ethers, alkylthios, carbonyls (including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylates, and esters), —CF₃, —CN and the like. Exemplary substituted alkyls are described below. Cycloalkyls can be further substituted with alkyls, alkenyls, alkoxys, alkylthios, aminoalkyls, carbonyl-substituted alkyls, —CF₃, —CN, and the like.

The term “C_(x-y)” or “C_(x) to C_(y)-alkyl” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain. For example, the term “C_(x) to C_(y)-alkyl” refers to substituted or unsubstituted saturated hydrocarbon groups, including straight-chain alkyl and branched-chain alkyl groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain, including haloalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, etc. The terms “C_(x) to C_(y)-alkenyl” and “C_(x) to C_(y)-alkynyl” refer to substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated aliphatic groups analogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls described above, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively. Within a range of C_(x-y), subranges are also generally envisioned. For example, for the range C₁ to C₁₅-alkyl, ranges falling within this range such as C₁ to C₂-alkyl and C₂ to C₈-alkyl are also included.

The term “alkylamino”, as used herein, refers to an amino group substituted with at least one alkyl group.

The term “alkylthio”, as used herein, refers to a thiol group substituted with an alkyl group and may be represented by the general formula alkyl-S—.

The term “alkynyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one triple bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkynyls” and “substituted alkynyls”, the latter of which refers to alkynyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkynyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more triple bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed above, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkynyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

The term “amide”, as used herein, refers to a group

wherein R²⁰ and R²¹ each independently represent a hydrogen or hydrocarbyl group, or R²⁰ and R²¹ taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “amine” and “amino” are art-recognized and refer to both unsubstituted and substituted amines and salts thereof, e.g., a moiety that can be represented by

wherein R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² each independently represent a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, or R²⁰ and R²¹ taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure. The terms “amine” and “amino” are intended to include amine groups that may be protected by a protecting group such as a carbobenzyloxy group (Cbz), a tert-butyloxycarbonyl group (BOC), a 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl group (FMOC), an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, a benzyl group, and a tosyl group.

The term “aminoalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an amino group.

The term “aralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group.

The term “aryl” as used herein include substituted or unsubstituted single-ring aromatic groups in which each atom of the ring is carbon. Preferably the ring is a 5- to 7-membered ring, more preferably a 6-membered ring. The term “aryl” also includes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which one or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Aryl groups include benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenol, aniline, and the like.

The term “carbamate” is art-recognized and refers to a group

wherein R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group.

The terms “carbocycle”, “carbocyclyl”, and “carbocyclic”, as used herein, refers to a non-aromatic saturated or unsaturated ring in which each atom of the ring is carbon. Preferably a carbocycle ring contains from 3 to 10 atoms, more preferably from 5 to 7 atoms.

The term “carbocyclylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a carbocycle group.

The term “carbonate” is art-recognized and refers to a group —OCO₂—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “carboxyl”, as used herein, refers to a group represented by the formula —CO₂H.

The term “ester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)OR²⁰ wherein R²⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group such as an aryl group.

The term “ether”, as used herein, refers to a hydrocarbyl group linked through an oxygen to another hydrocarbyl group. Accordingly, an ether substituent of a hydrocarbyl group may be hydrocarbyl-O—. Ethers may be either symmetrical or unsymmetrical. Examples of ethers include, but are not limited to, heterocycle-O-heterocycle and aryl-O-heterocycle. Ethers include “alkoxyalkyl” groups, which may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein means halogen and includes chloro, fluoro, bromo, and iodo.

The term “haloalkyl” as used herein includes from one halo substituent up to perhalo substitution. Exemplary haloalkyls includes —CFH₂, —CClH₂, —CBrH₂, —CF₂H, —CCl₂H, —CBr₂H, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CH₂Cl, —CH₂CH₂Br, —CH₂CHF₂, —CHFCH₃, —CHCICH₃, —CHBrCH₃, —CF₂CHF₂, —CF₂CHCl₂, —CF₂CHBr₂, —CH(CF₃)₂, and —C(CF₃)₃. Perhaloalkyl, for example, includes —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CF₂CF₃, —CCl₂CF₃ and —CBr₂CF₃.

The terms “hetaralkyl” and “heteroaralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hetaryl group.

The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic single ring structures, preferably 5- to 7-membered rings, more preferably 5- to 6-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heteroaromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Heteroaryl groups include, for example, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, and pyrimidine, and the like.

The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element other than carbon or hydrogen. Exemplary heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

The terms “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycle”, and “heterocyclic” refer to substituted or unsubstituted non-aromatic ring structures, preferably 3- to 10-membered rings, more preferably 3- to 8-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycle” and “heterocyclic” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which one or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heterocyclic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be selected from cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and/or heterocyclyl. Heterocyclyl groups include, for example, piperidine, piperazine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, lactones, lactams, and the like.

The term “heterocyclylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a heterocycle group.

The term “hydrocarbyl”, as used herein, refers to optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocycle and aryl and combinations thereof.

The term “hydroxyl” or “hydroxy”, as used herein, refers to an OH group. The term “hydroxy” or “hydroxyl” is intended to include groups that may be protected by a protecting group such as a TBDMS or TIPS protecting groups.

The term “hydroxyalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hydroxy group. The term “hydroxyalkyl” is intended to include hydroxyl groups that may be protected by a protecting group such as a TBDMS or TIPS protecting groups.

The term “lower” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups where there are ten or fewer non-hydrogen atoms in the substituent, preferably six or fewer. A “lower alkyl”, for example, refers to an alkyl group that contains ten or fewer carbon atoms, preferably six or fewer. In certain embodiments, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy substituents defined herein are respectively lower acyl, lower acyloxy, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or lower alkoxy, whether they appear alone or in combination with other substituents, such as in the recitations hydroxyalkyl and aralkyl (in which case, for example, the atoms within the aryl group are not counted when counting the carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent).

A “protecting group” as used herein has the meaning ascribed in the field. A protecting group is a group that is covalently bound to a functional group in order to maintain chemoselectivity in a subsequent chemical reaction. Protecting groups for nitrogen atoms include “amine protecting groups” and “amide protecting groups”. Protecting groups for hydroxyl groups include “hydroxyl protecting groups”. The need for protection and deprotection, and the selection of appropriate protecting groups can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. The chemistry of protecting groups can be found, for example, in Greene and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 4th. Ed., Wiley & Sons, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Those of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand what is meant by “amine protecting group” and ‘amide protecting groups”, however, some nonlimiting examples of nitrogen protecting groups include carboxybenzyl (Cbz) groups, p-methoxybenzyl carbonyl (Moz or MeOZ) groups, tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) groups, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) groups, acetyl (Ac) groups, benzoyl (Bz) groups, benzyl (Bn) groups, carbamate groups, p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) groups, dimethoxybenzyl (DMPM) groups, p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) groups, tosyl (Ts) groups, sulfonamide (Nosyl & Nps) groups, methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), and fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz). For example, in some embodiments, the amine protecting group is selected from tosyl groups (Ts), butyloxycarbonyl groups (BOC), carbobenzyloxy groups (Cbz), fluoreneylmethyloxycarbonyl groups (FMOC), acetyl groups (Ac), methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), and fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz). Those of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand what is meant by “hydroxyl protecting group”, however, some nonlimiting examples of hydroxyl protecting groups include an acetyl (Ac) group, a benzoyl (Bz) group, a benzyl (Bn) group, a β-methoxyethoxy methyl (MEM) group, a methoxy methyl (MOM) group, a silyl group such as a trimethylsilyl (TMS) group, a tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) group, and a triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) group.

The terms “polycyclyl”, “polycycle”, and “polycyclic” refer to two or more rings (e.g., cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls) in which two or more atoms are common to two adjoining rings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”. Each of the rings of the polycycle can be substituted or unsubstituted. In certain embodiments, each ring of the polycycle contains from 3 to 10 atoms in the ring, preferably from 5 to 7.

The term “substituted” refers to moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the backbone. It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includes, except for where otherwise provided, the implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and non-aromatic substituents of organic compounds. The permissible substituents can be one or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of the heteroatoms. Substituents can include any substituents described herein, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the moieties substituted at a position can themselves be substituted, if appropriate.

The term “sulfate” is art-recognized and refers to the group —OSO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfonamide” is art-recognized and refers to the group represented by the general formulae

wherein R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represents hydrogen or hydrocarbyl.

The term “sulfoxide” is art-recognized and refers to the group —S(O)—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “sulfonate” is art-recognized and refers to the group SO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfone” is art-recognized and refers to the group —S(O)₂—R²⁰, wherein R²⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “tautomer” as used herein is art-recognized and refers to the formal migration of a hydrogen atom, accompanied by a switch of a single bond and adjacent double bond. When used herein to describe a compound or genus of compounds, tautomer includes any portion of a compound or the entire compound such as a single substituent of a compound, multiple substituents of a compound or, for example, the entire compound. For example, the tautomer of a compound that includes a hydroxyalkene (A) is the aldehyde (B):

The term “thioalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a thiol group.

The term “thioester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)SR²⁰ or —SC(O)R²⁰ wherein R²⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “thioether”, as used herein, is equivalent to an ether, wherein the oxygen is replaced with a sulfur.

The term “urea” is art-recognized and may be represented by the general formula

wherein R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl.

II. Description of the Invention

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are ubiquitous in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. Given the abundance of these heterocycles in nature, pharmacology, and materials science, stereoselective methods for the synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted pyrrolidinones, piperidinones, and caprolactams, in addition to their corresponding amines, would, in theory, be valuable for the preparation of a wide array of important structures in these areas of research. The general formulae for such disubstituted pyrrolidinones, piperidinones, and caprolactams are depicted below.

A small sample of the products these disubstituted pyrrolidinones, piperidinones and caprolactams could theoretically be used to prepare includes those depicted below.

However, as can be seen from the small sample depicted above, many of the target compounds include quaternary centers, e.g., C(α)-quaternary centers. Unfortunately, a paucity of enantioselective lactam syntheses leading to such C(α)-quaternary centers is known. Indeed, most known methods rely on chiral auxiliary chemistry, and although a few catalytic examples exist, they are specific to the oxindole lactam nucleus, α-carbonyl stabilized enolates, or cyclic imides. Importantly, enolate stabilization is critical for success in these catalytic systems, thereby limiting the scope of each transformation. To date, there are no examples of catalytic asymmetric alkylations of simple piperidinone, pyrrolidinone, and caprolactam scaffolds (or other nitrogen containing compounds, e.g., acyclic compounds) for the formation of C(α)-quaternary or C(α)-tetrasubstituted tertiary centers.

Transition metal-catalyzed allylic alkylation is a key method for the enantioselective preparation of chiral substances and ranks among the best general techniques for the catalytic alkylation of prochiral enolates. Given the importance of α-quaternary lactams (discussed above), embodiments of the present invention are directed to a general method for catalytic asymmetric α-alkylation of cyclic and acyclic quaternary heteroatom containing compounds (including nitrogen containing compounds, e.g., lactams, and their structurally analogous oxygen containing compounds, e.g., lactones). Over the past several years, methods for the synthesis of α-quaternary ketones have been reported, and the use of these methods has been demonstrated in a number of complex molecule syntheses. See Mohr, et al., “Deracemization of quaternary stereocenters by Pd-catalyzed enantioconvergent decarboxylative allylation of racemic β-ketoesters,” Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 44, 6924-6927 (2005); Seto, et al., “Catalytic enantioselective alkylation of substituted dioxanone enol ethers: ready access to C(α)-tetrasubstituted hydroxyketones, acids, and esters,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 47, 6873-6876 (2008); Streuff, et al., “A Palladium-catalysed enolate alkylation cascade for the formation of adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters,” Nature Chem. 2, 192-196 (2010); McFadden, et al., “The catalytic enantioselective, protecting group-free total synthesis of (+)-dichroanone,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 7738-7739 (2006); White, et al., “The catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of elatol,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 810-811 (2008); Enquist, et al., “The total synthesis of (−)-cyanthiwigin F via double catalytic enantioselective alkylation,” Nature 453, 1228-1231 (2008); Day, et al., “The catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-liphagal,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 50, in press (2011), the entire content of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Related allylic alkylation methods have also been developed. See Trost, et al., “Regio- and Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Ketones through Allyl Enol Carbonates,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 2846-2847 (2005); Trost, et al., “Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic α-Alkylation of Acyclic Ketones,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 17180-17181 (2005); Trost, et al., “Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Cyclic Vinylogous Esters and Thioesters by Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylation of Enol Carbonate and β-Ketoester Substrates,” Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 45, 3109-3112 (2006); Trost, et al., “Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Tertiary Hydroxyaldehydes by Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Enolates.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 282-283 (2007); Trost, et al., “Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Enol Carbonates,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 18343-18357 (2009); Nakamura, et al., “Synthesis of Chiral α-Fluoroketones through Catalytic Enantioselective Decarboxylation,” Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 44, 7248-7251 (2005); Burger, et al., “Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclic α-Allylated α-Fluoroketones,” Synlett 2824-2826 (2006); Bélanger, et al., “Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Allylation Reaction of Fluorinated Silyl Enol Ethers,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 1034-1035 (2007); Schulz, et al., “Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Substituted Cycloheptane-1,4-diones by an Asymmetric Ring-Expanding Allylation (AREA),” Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 46, 3966-3970 (2007), the entire content of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a wide range of structurally-diverse, functionalized heteroatom containing compounds (e.g., nitrogen containing lactams and oxygen containing lactones) are prepared by a stereoselective method including palladium-catalyzed enantioselective enolate alkylation. This chemistry is important to the synthesis of bioactive alkaloids, and the transformation is useful for the construction of novel building blocks for medicinal and polymer chemistry. Indeed, in some embodiments of the present invention, these novel building blocks include heteroatom containing compounds useful as precursors to (or reactants leading to the preparation of) numerous biologically active and important natural and pharmaceutical products. While embodiments of the present invention are directed to the novel building blocks achieved from the transition-metal catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction, other embodiments of the present invention are directed to novel heteroatom containing substrates used in the transition-metal catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction to form the building blocks. Indeed, in some embodiments of the present invention, a method of making a building block compound comprises reacting a substrate compound with a ligand in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and a solvent. The palladium-based catalysts, ligands and solvents useful in this reaction are described in more detail below in the section entitled “Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkylation. The substrates used in the reaction, and the building block compounds made from the reaction are described here, and in the below sections entitled “Heteroatom Containing Substrate Compounds” and “Heteroatom Containing Building Block Compounds.”

III. Compounds and Methods of the Invention

The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II):

comprising treating a compound of Formula (I):

with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions, wherein, as valence and stability permit,

ring B represents an optionally substituted heterocycle;

X is a heteroatom;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl.

In addition to methods for preparing compounds of Formula (II), the invention further discloses compounds represented by Formula (I) and Formula (II). The following discussion of Ring B as well as variables X, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ refers to both the method of preparing a compound of Formula (II) from a compound of Formula (I) and the compounds of Formula (I) and (II).

Ring B of the compound of Formula (I) or (II) may contain one or more heteroatoms selected from O, N, S, P, B, or Si. In certain embodiments, X of ring B is nitrogen or oxygen wherein nitrogen is optionally substituted. In addition to X, ring B may contain one or more additional heteroatoms such as a nitrogen or an oxygen. Ring B may represent a substituted 4-8 membered ring or preferably a substituted 5-7 membered ring. In particular, ring B may represent an optionally substituted 5-7-membered lactam ring. Alternatively, ring B may represent an optionally substituted 5-7 membered lactone ring.

As valence and stability permit, ring B may be saturated or contain unsaturation with, for example, one or more multiple bonds. Substituents on ring B may be selected from at least: a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, an arylcarbonyl, an aryloxycarbonyl, an aralkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, an aryloxy, an aralkyloxy, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. In addition, one or more of the substituents on ring B may also be substituted by one or more substituents.

While not wishing to be bound by a particular mechanism, the reactions disclosed herein may proceed by directly linking the carbon bearing R² to the carbon bearing R¹. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the carbon bearing the R² groups in a compound of Formula (I) may be the carbon bearing the R¹² groups in a compound of Formula (II), and thus R¹² in the product is the same as R² in the reactant. Similarly, in these embodiments, the carbon bearing R⁴ and R⁵ in a compound of Formula (I) may be the carbon bearing R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ groups in a compound of Formula (II) (so that R¹⁴ in the product is the same as R⁴ in the reactant, and R¹⁵ in the product is the same as R⁵ in the reactant) and the carbon bearing R³ in a compound of Formula (I) may be the carbon bearing R¹³ in a compound of Formula (II) (making R¹³ in the product the same as R³ in the reactant).

Alternatively, the reactions disclosed herein may proceed through an allylic rearrangement of the allyl ester. In-such embodiments, the carbon bearing the R² groups in a compound of Formula (I) may be the carbon bearing the R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ groups in a compound of Formula (II) (meaning that R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ in the product are the same as the two R² groups in the reactant). Similarly, in these embodiments, the carbon bearing R⁴ and R⁵ in a compound of Formula (I) may be the carbon bearing R¹² groups in a compound of Formula (II) (meaning that the two R² groups in the product are the same as R⁴ and R⁵ in the reactant) and the carbon bearing R³ in a compound of Formula (I) may be the carbon bearing R¹³ in a compound of Formula (II) (such that R¹³ in the product is the same as R³ in the reactant).

In preferred embodiments, wherein R², R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are all hydrogen, the product is the same regardless of which mechanism applies, and regardless of the presence or absence of a non-hydrogen substituent at R³ and/or R¹³. In other embodiments, at least one of R², R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ is a non-hydrogen substituent.

The present invention also provides a method of preparation of a compound of Formula (IV):

comprising treating a compound of Formula (III):

with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions, wherein, as valence and stability permit,

X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—;

Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—;

A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—;

W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

-   -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring; R⁸         and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to         form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring; and when n is         2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached         to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form a 3-8-membered ring;

R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and

n is 0-3.

While not wishing to be bound by a particular mechanism, the reactions disclosed herein may proceed by directly linking the carbon bearing R² to the carbon bearing R¹. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the carbon bearing the R² groups in a compound of Formula (III) may be the carbon bearing the R¹² groups in a compound of Formula (IV), and thus R¹² in the product is the same as R² in the reactant. Similarly, in these embodiments, the carbon bearing R⁴ and R⁵ in a compound of Formula (III) may be the carbon bearing R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ groups in a compound of Formula (IV) (so that R¹⁴ in the product is the same as R⁴ in the reactant, and R¹⁵ in the product is the same as R⁵ in the reactant) and the carbon bearing R³ in a compound of Formula (III) may be the carbon bearing R¹³ in a compound of Formula (IV) (making R¹³ in the product the same as R³ in the reactant).

Alternatively, the reactions disclosed herein may proceed through an allylic rearrangement of the allyl ester. In-such embodiments, the carbon bearing the R² groups in a compound of Formula (III) may be the carbon bearing the R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ groups in a compound of Formula (IV) (meaning that R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ in the product are the same as the two R² groups in the reactant). Similarly, in these embodiments, the carbon bearing R⁴ and R⁵ in a compound of Formula (III) may be the carbon bearing R¹² groups in a compound of Formula (IV) (meaning that the two R² groups in the product are the same as R⁴ and R⁵ in the reactant) and the carbon bearing R³ in a compound of Formula (III) may be the carbon bearing R¹³ in a compound of Formula (IV) (such that R¹³ in the product is the same as R³ in the reactant).

In preferred embodiments, wherein R², R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are all hydrogen, the product is the same regardless of which mechanism applies, and regardless of the presence or absence of a non-hydrogen substituent at R³ and/or R¹³. In other embodiments, at least one of R², R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ is a non-hydrogen substituent.

The invention also comprises compounds represented by Formula (V):

or a tautomer and/or a salt thereof, wherein: X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—;

Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—;

A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—;

W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

-   -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring; R⁸         and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to         form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring; and when n is         2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached         to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form a 3-8-membered ring;

R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and

n is 0-3.

The invention also comprises compounds represented by Formula (VI):

or a tautomer and/or a salt thereof, wherein: X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—;

Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—;

A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—;

W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—;

R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen;

R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl;

-   -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring; R⁸         and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to         form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring; and when n is         2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached         to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are         bound to form a 3-8-membered ring;

R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and

n is 0-3.

R¹ of a compound of Formula (I)-(VI) may be selected from halogen and an optionally substituted group selected from alkyl, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylalkyl, cyanoalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, acylalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, and aryloxycarbonylalkyl. In particular, R¹ may be selected from halogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted cyanoalkyl, and optionally substituted hydroxyalkyl. In particular, R¹ may be selected from halogen and optionally substituted alkyl, wherein alkyl is substituted by one or more of: halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylsilyloxy, aryl, alkyl-substituted aryl, haloalkyl-substituted aryl, alkylthio, carbocyclyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide.

When R¹ is optionally substituted alkyl in any of Formulas (I)-(VI), alkyl may be selected from optionally substituted C₁ to C₁₀-alkyl, such as optionally substituted C₁ to C₅-alkyl. In particular, R¹ is optionally substituted alkyl and alkyl is selected from optionally substituted C₁ to C₃-alkyl. When R¹ is halogen, R¹ may be selected from chloro, bromo and fluoro. In certain embodiments, R¹ may be fluoro.

R² and R¹² of a compound of Formula (I)-(VI) may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl. In particular, R² and R¹² may be selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl and hydroxyl. For example, R² and R¹² at each occurrence is hydrogen.

R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ of a compound of Formula (I)-(VI) may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, aryloxy, and aralkyloxy. In particular, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, and alkoxy. For example, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from chloro, bromo, fluoro, and C₁ to C₅-alkyl wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halogens or hydroxyls.

Two of R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ of a compound of Formula (I)-(VI), may be taken together with the carbons to which they are bound to form a ring. For example, R³ and R⁴ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 5-8-membered ring, R¹³ and R¹⁴ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 5-8-membered ring, R⁴ and R⁵ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form a 3-8-membered ring, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form a 3-8-membered ring, R² together with R³, R⁴ or R⁵ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form a 5-8-membered ring, and R¹² together with R¹³, R¹⁴ or R¹⁵ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form a 5-8-membered ring. A ring formed by any two of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ and any two of R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine.

R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ of a compound of Formula (III)-(VI) may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl. In particular, R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl and hydroxyl. In particular embodiments when two of R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ combine with the atoms to which they are bound to form a ring, the ring may be substituted by one or more of halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine.

R⁶, R⁹, and R¹⁰ of a compound of Formula (III)-(VI) may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and an optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide. In certain embodiments, R⁶, R⁹, and R¹⁰ are independently selected from an optionally substituted amine or amide protecting group. In particular, R⁶, R⁹, and R¹⁰ may be independently selected at each occurrence from optionally substituted aralkyloxy, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and aryloxycarbonyl, wherein the substituents may be selected from one or more of halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, phenyl and hydroxyl.

For a compound of any of Formulas (III)-(VI), X may be —NR⁶—; Z may be selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—; A at each occurrence may be —CR⁸R⁸—; W may be selected from —NR¹⁰— and —CR¹¹R¹¹—; and n may be 0-2. In such embodiments, R¹ may be selected from halogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted cyanoalkyl, and optionally substituted hydroxyalkyl; R² and R¹² may be selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, aryloxy, and aralkyloxy; R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; and R⁶ and R¹⁰ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and an optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide.

For a compound of any of Formulas (III)-(VI), X may be —NR⁶—; Z may be —CR⁷R⁷—; A may be —CR⁸R⁸—; W may be —NR¹⁰—; and n may be 1. The compound of Formula (IV) or (V) may be represented by the Formula (IVa):

and the compound of Formula (III) and (VI) may be represented by the Formula (IIIa):

In such embodiments, R¹ may be selected from halogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted cyanoalkyl, and optionally substituted hydroxyalkyl; R² and R¹² may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, aryloxy, and aralkyloxy; R⁷ and R⁸ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; and R⁶ and R¹⁰ may be independently selected at each occurrence from an amine or amide protecting group, hydrogen, hydroxyl, and an optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide.

In certain embodiments, for a compound of any of Formulas (III)-(VI), X is —NR⁶—; Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—; A at each occurrence is —CR⁷R⁷—; W is —CR¹¹R¹¹—; and n is 0-2. In such embodiments, R¹ may be selected from halogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted cyanoalkyl, and optionally substituted hydroxyalkyl; R² and R¹² may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, aryloxy, and aralkyloxy; R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; and R⁶ may be selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and an optionally substituted group selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide.

For a compound of any of Formulas (III)-(VI), X may be —NR⁶—; Z may be —CR⁷R⁷; A may be —CR⁷R⁷—; W may be —CR¹¹R¹¹—; and n may be 0-2. The compound of Formula (IV) or (V) may be represented by the Formula (IVb):

and the compound of Formula (III) or (VI) may be represented by the Formula (IIIb):

In such embodiments, R¹ may be selected from halogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted cyanoalkyl, and optionally substituted hydroxyalkyl; R² and R¹² may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, aryloxy, and aralkyloxy; R⁷ and R⁸ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; and R⁶ may be selected from an amine or amide protecting group, hydrogen, hydroxyl, and an optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide.

In certain embodiments, for a compound of any of Formulas (III)-(VI), X is —NR⁶— or —O—; Z is —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—; A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—; W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹; and n is 0-3, with the proviso that when X is —NR⁶—, and Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—, at least one A is —NR⁹— or W is —NR¹⁰—. In such embodiments, R¹ may be selected from halogen, alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted alkoxycarbonylalkyl, optionally substituted cyanoalkyl, and optionally substituted hydroxyalkyl; R² and R¹² may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, aryloxy, and aralkyloxy; R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ may be independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amide, amine, and carbocyclyl; and R⁶, R⁹, and R¹⁰ may be selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and an optionally substituted group selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide.

For any of Formulas (III), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IV), (IVa), (IVb), (V) and (VI), R⁶ may be selected from:

For any of Formulas (I), (II), (III), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IV), (IVa) and (IVb), R¹ may be selected from:

While not being bound by a particular mechanism, any of the alkylation reactions discussed herein may proceed with or without a rearrangement of the allylic group. In the absence of an allylic rearrangement it is envisioned that compounds subjected to the alkylation conditions described herein, where a compound of Formula (I) is converted to (II), a compound of Formula (III) is converted to (IV), a compound of Formula (IIIa) is converted to (IVa) and a compound of Formula (IIIb) is converted to (IVb), will otherwise display a substitution pattern in the product that is the same as the substitution pattern in the substrate. For example, ring B, X, Z, A, W, n, R¹, and R⁶ to R¹¹ will not be altered from the substrate to the product under the reaction conditions and the carbons bearing R¹² and R¹⁵ in the product will correspond with the carbons bearing R² and R⁵ in the substrate, respectively.

In the event of an allylic rearrangement, it is envisioned that compounds subjected to the alkylation conditions described herein, where a compound of Formula (I) is converted to (II), a compound of Formula (III) is converted to (IV), a compound of Formula (IIIa) is converted to (IVa) and a compound of Formula (IIIb) is converted to (IVb), will otherwise display a substitution pattern in the product that is the same as the substitution pattern in the substrate except that the substitution pattern in the product at the carbons bearing R¹², R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ is transposed relative to the starting material. That is, the carbon bearing R⁴ and R⁵ in the substrate becomes the carbon bearing the R¹² groups in the product, the carbon bearing the R² groups in the substrate becomes the carbon bearing R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ in the product, and the carbon bearing R³ in the substrate becomes the carbon bearing R¹³ in the product. For example, ring B, X, Z, A, W, n, R¹ and R⁶ to R¹¹ will not be altered from the substrate to the product under the reaction conditions but the carbons bearing R¹² to R¹⁵ in the product are transposed relative to the carbons bearing R² to R⁵ in the substrate.

Under some circumstances, one or more substituents may be altered on the product relative to the substrate. For example, a protected hydroxyl group in the starting material may become deprotected under the alkylation conditions of the method. Accordingly, in the various embodiments disclosed herein, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be hydroxy in addition to the other options disclosed above; for R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵, the resulting hydroxyalkene may tautomerize to the corresponding carbonyl, such as to a ketone or aldehyde, as would be well understood. Under some circumstances, a protected amino group in the starting material may become deprotected under the alkylation conditions of the method. Accordingly, in the various embodiments disclosed herein, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ may be amino in addition to the other options disclosed above; for R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵, the resulting aminoalkene may tautomerize to the corresponding imine, such as to a ketimine or aldimine, as would be well understood.

A compound of any of Formulas (I), (II), (III), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IV), (IVa), (IVb), (V) and (VI) may contain one or more asymmetric centers, chiral axes and chiral planes and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms and may be defined in terms of absolute stereochemistry, such as (R)- or (S)- or, as (D)- or (L)- for amino acids. The present invention is intended to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. Optically active (+) and (−), (R)- and (S)-, or (D)- and (L)-isomers, e.g., ligands or substrates for the methods described herein, may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques, such as reverse phase HPLC. The racemic mixtures may be prepared and thereafter separated into individual optical isomers or these optical isomers may be prepared by chiral synthesis. The enantiomers may be resolved by methods known to those skilled in the art, for example by formation of diastereoisomeric salts which may then be separated by crystallization, gas-liquid or liquid chromatography, selective reaction of one enantiomer with an enantiomer specific reagent.

The compounds of the invention may be racemic or in certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be enriched in one enantiomer. For example, a compound of any of Formulas (I), (II), (III), (IIIa), (IIIb), (IV), (IVa), (IVb), (V) and (VI) such as a substrate or product of the methods described herein, may have 30% ee or greater, 40% ee or greater, 50% ee or greater, 60% ee or greater, 70% ee or greater, 80% ee or greater, 90% ee or greater, 95% ee or greater, or even 98% ee or greater. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may have more than one stereocenter. In certain such embodiments, compounds of the invention may be enriched in one or more diastereomer. For example, a compound of the invention may have 30% de or greater, 40% de or greater, 50% de or greater, 60% de or greater, 70% de or greater, 80% de or greater, 90% de or greater, 95% de or greater, or even 98% de or greater.

Transition Metal Catalysts

Preferred transition metal catalysts of the invention are complexes of transition metals wherein the metal is selected from Groups 6, 8, 9 and 10 in the periodic table. In preferred embodiments, the metal of the transition metal catalyst is selected from molybdenum, tungsten, iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, nickel, platinum, and palladium. In more preferred embodiments, the metal is palladium.

In one embodiment of the invention, a complex of a neutral transition metal is employed directly in the reaction. It should be appreciated that the air and moisture sensitivity of many complexes of neutral transition metals will necessitate appropriate handling precautions. This may include the following precautions without limitation: minimizing exposure of the reactants to air and water prior to reaction; maintaining an inert atmosphere within the reaction vessel; properly purifying all reagents; and removing water from reaction vessels prior to use.

Exemplary neutral transition metal catalysts include, without limitation, Mo(CO)₆, Mo(MeCN)₃(CO)₃, W(CO)₆, W(MeCN)₃(CO)₃, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl, [Rh(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, Ru(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(MeCN)₃PF₆, Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)₂, Ni[P(OEt)₃]₄, tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform adduct, bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)acetone)dipalladium(0), Pd(OC(═O)CH₃)₂, Pd(3,5-dimethyoxy-dibenzylideneacetone)₂, PdCl₂(R²³CN)₂; PdCl₂(PR²⁴R²⁵R²⁶)₂; [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂; and Pd(PR²⁴R²⁵R²⁶)₄, wherein R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, and R²⁶ are independently selected from H, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, and substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl. In particular embodiments, the transition metal catalyst tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium, Pd₂(dba)₃, or bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)acetone) dipalladium, Pd₂(pmdba)₃, is preferred.

To improve the effectiveness of the catalysts discussed herein, additional reagents may be employed as needed, including, without limitation, salts, solvents, and other small molecules. Preferred additives include AgBF₄, AgOSO₂CF₃, AgOC(═O)CH₃, PPh₃, P(n-Bu)₃, and bipyridine. These additives are preferably used in an amount that is in the range of about 1 equivalent to about 5 equivalents relative to the amount of the catalyst.

The neutral oxidation state of the transition metal can also be obtained in situ, by the reduction of transition metal complexes that are initially in a higher oxidation level. An exemplary method for reduction of the transition metal complex is with the use of nucleophilic reagents including, without limitation, NBu₄OH, tetrabutylammonium difluorotriphenylsilicate (TBAT), tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), NMe₄OH(H₂O)₅, KOH/1,4,7,10,13,16-Hexaoxacyclooctadecane, EtONa, TBAT/Trimethyl-(2-methyl-cyclohex-1-enyloxy)-silane, and mixtures thereof. When a nucleophilic reagent is needed for the reduction of the metal complex, the nucleophilic reagent is used in an amount in the range of about 1 mol % to about 20 mol % relative to the reactant, more preferably in the range of about 1 mol % to about 10 mol % relative to the substrate, and most preferably in the range of about 5 mol % to about 8 mol % relative to the substrate.

Exemplary transition metal complexes with a +2 oxidation state include, without limitation, allylchloro[1,3-bis(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]palladium(II), ([2S,3S]-bis[diphenylphosphino]butane)(3-allyl)palladium(II) perchlorate, [S]-4-tert-butyl-2-(2-diphenylphosphanyl-phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-oxazole(η³-allyl)palladium(II) hexafluorophosphate (i.e., [Pd(S-tBu-PHOX)(allyl)]PF₆), and cyclopentadienyl(η³-allyl) palladium(II), with [Pd(s-tBu-PHOX)(allyl)]PF₆ and cyclopentadienyl(η³-allyl)palladium(II) being most preferred.

The amount of catalyst to be used in the reactions of the invention is generally measured in relation to the amount of substrate that is present. For the reactions of the invention, the metal from the catalyst is present in an amount ranging from about 1 mol % to about 20 mol % relative to the substrate. More preferably, the metal from the catalyst is present in an amount ranging from about 1 mol % to about 10 mol %, such as about 2 mol % to about 7 mol %, such as about 5 mol % relative to the substrate. By “metal from the catalyst” is meant the equivalents (relative to the substrate) of transition metal atoms. Thus, for example, 5 mol % of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) provides 10 mol % of metal atoms relative to the substrate. In certain embodiments, the amount of catalyst in relation to the substrate is selected from 2-8 mol %, such as about 5 mol %.

Ligands

One aspect of the invention is the enantioselectivity of the methods. Enantioselectivity is a result of the presence of chiral ligands during the reactions. Without being bound by theory, enantioselectivity results from the asymmetric environment that is created around the metal center by the presence of chiral ligands. The chiral ligand forms a complex with the transition metal, thereby occupying one or more of the coordination sites on the metal and creating an asymmetric environment around the metal center. This complexation may or may not involve the displacement of achiral ligands already complexed to the metal. When displacement of one or more achiral ligands occurs, the displacement may proceed in a concerted fashion, i.e., with both the achiral ligand decomplexing from the metal and the chiral ligand complexing to the metal in a single step. Alternatively, the displacement may proceed in a stepwise fashion, i.e., with decomplexing of the achiral ligand and complexing of the chiral ligand occurring in distinct steps. Complexation of the chiral ligand to the transition metal may be allowed to occur in situ, i.e., by admixing the ligand and metal before adding the substrate. Alternatively, the ligand-metal complex can be formed separately, and the complex isolated before use in the alkylation reactions of the present invention. Once coordinated to the transition metal center, the chiral ligand influences the orientation of other molecules as they interact with the transition metal catalyst. Coordination of the metal center with a π-allyl group, and reaction of the substrate with the π-allyl-metal complex are dictated by the presence of the chiral ligand. The orientation of the reacting species determines the stereochemistry of the products.

Many factors determine the ability of the chiral ligand to influence the orientation of the reacting species, and thereby determine the stereochemistry of the products. For example, shape and size (i.e., sterics), denticity (mono- or bidentate), and electronic properties affect the ligand-metal complex as well as the interaction of the metal-ligand complex with the nucleophile. These factors can vary substantially between ligands, resulting in correspondingly large differences in the success of the ligands as promoters of enantioselective alkylation. For any given substrate, some ligands might provide relatively high product yield, while other ligands affect relatively high enantiopurity of the product. Still other ligands may provide both high yield and high enantiopurity, while still other ligands might provide neither. It should be understood that proper ligand selection for any given substrate will influence the products of the reaction.

Generally, the chiral ligand is present in an amount in the range of about 0.75 equivalents to about 10 equivalents relative to the amount of metal from the catalyst, preferably in the range of about 0.75 to about 5 equivalents relative to the amount of metal from the catalyst, and most preferably in the range of about 0.75 to about 1.25, such as about 1.25 equivalents relative to the amount of metal from the catalyst. Alternatively, the amount of the chiral ligand can be measured relative to the amount of the substrate. Then, the chiral ligand is present in an amount ranging from about 1 mol % to about 20 mol %, more preferably from about 2.5 mol % to about 13 mol % such as about 12.5 mol % relative to the substrate.

Chiral ligands of the invention may be bidentate or monodentate or ligands with higher denticity (i.e., tridentate, tetradentate, etc.) can be used. Preferably, the ligand will be substantially enantiopure. By “enantiopure” is meant that only a single enantiomer is present. In many cases, substantially enantiopure ligands can be purchased from commercial sources.

Exemplary chiral ligands may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,698, the entirely of which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferred chiral ligands of the invention include the PHOX-type chiral ligands such as (R)-2-[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4-isopropyl-2-oxazoline, (R)-2-[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4-phenyl-2-oxazoline, (S)-2-[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazoline, (S)-2-[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4-tert-butyl-2-oxazoline ((S)-t-BuPHOX) and (S)-2-(2-(bis(4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-(tert-butyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole ((S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX). In preferred embodiments, the PHOX type chiral ligand is selected from (S)-t-BuPHOX and (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX).

Where a chiral ligand is used, the reactions of the invention may enrich the stereocenter bearing R¹ in the product relative to the enrichment at this center, if any, of the starting material. For example, a product of the methods described herein may have 30% ee or greater, 40% ee or greater, 50% ee or greater, 60% ee or greater, 70% ee or greater, 80% ee or greater, 90% ee or greater, 95% ee or greater, or even 98% ee or greater, even where this % ee is greater than the % ee of the starting material, such as 0% ee (racemic). In embodiments where the starting material has more than one stereocenter, reactions of the invention may enrich the stereocenter bearing R¹ relative to the enrichment at this center, if any, of the starting material, and substantially independently of the stereochemical disposition/enrichment of any other stereocenters of the molecule. For example, a product of the methods described herein may have 30% de or greater, 40% de or greater, 50% de or greater, 60% de or greater, 70% de or greater, 80% de or greater, 90% de or greater, 95% de or greater, or even 98% de or greater at the stereocenter of the product bearing R¹.

Alkylation Conditions

The reactions of the invention are preferably carried out in solvent under an inert atmosphere. Appropriate solvents include, without limitation, hydrocarbons, substituted hydrocarbons, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbons, and substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbons. Preferred solvents include ethers, amines, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, heteroatom-containing aromatic hydrocarbons, and substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. In certain embodiments, the solvent is selected from one or more polar aprotic and nonpolar solvents. Examples of preferred solvents include 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methyl-tert-butyl ether, diethyl ether, toluene, hexanes, benzene, diisopropyl ether, ethyl acetate, triethylamine, anisole, acetone, fluorobenzene, and diglyme or mixtures thereof. Supercritical fluids can also be used as solvents, with carbon dioxide representing one such solvent. Reaction temperatures range from 0° C. to 100° C., with 20° C. to 60° C. being preferred, and 20° C. to 25° C. (i.e., room temperature) being particularly preferred. In particular embodiments, the reaction temperature is below about 60° C., below about 50° C., below about 40° C., or below about 30° C. The reaction time will generally be in the range of 1 hour to 24 hours. In certain embodiments, instruments such as a microwave reactor may be used to accelerate the reaction time. Pressures range from atmospheric to pressures typically used in conjunction with supercritical fluids, with the preferred pressure being atmospheric.

IV. Additional Compounds and Methods of the Invention

According to embodiments of the present invention compounds useful as either substrates for the creation of building blocks leading to target compounds or as building blocks include compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula A. As discussed here, these compounds can be used as substrate compounds useful in the method noted above and described in detail below. Also, these compounds may be used as reactants in other methods and reaction schemes to make other compounds, e.g., some naturally occurring compounds that may be biologically active. Chemical Formula A

In Chemical Formula A, z is either 0 or 1, and Q is a heteroatom, for example, N, O, P, S or a halogen such as Cl, I, Br or F. In some embodiments, for example, Q is N or O. Each of R1 through R10 is independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, or functional groups. However, in some embodiments, R3 is not hydrogen. In some embodiments, in which z is 0 and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed further below), R3 is also not phenyl or substituted phenyl. In yet other embodiments, in which z is 0 and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed further below), R3 is not a simple carbonyl group. However, in some embodiments, R3 may be a substituted carbonyl group, e.g., a carbonyl group substituted hydrocarbyl group or heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group or functional group. In some embodiments, though, R3 does not include any carbonyl groups, whether substituted or unsubstituted. In yet other embodiments, in which z is 0 and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed further below), R3 is not an ethyl group. However, in some embodiments, R3 may be a substituted ethyl group, and R3 may be any other alkyl group (or other group as described above). In some embodiments, though, R3 is not an ethyl group or a substituted ethyl group. Also, in some embodiments, the carbon atom to which the R3 group is attached is a chiral, stereogenic center, i.e., R3 and Y are not the same.

Y may be selected from hydrogen, heteroatoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, or functional groups. Additionally, any two or more adjacent R and Y groups can optionally combine to form a carbonyl group on the underlying atom. For example, in some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, as shown in the below Formula A(i).

Also, any two or more adjacent R and Y groups can optionally combine to form a ring, e.g., a cyclic, heterocyclic, aryl or heteroaryl ring. Indeed, in some embodiments, although Formula 1 depicts an acyclic heteroatom containing compound, Formula 1 also encompasses cyclic, heterocyclic, aryl and heteroaryl compounds. Also, in some embodiments, while R6 and R10 may combine to form nearly any ring structure, R6 and R10 do not form a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. Similarly, in some embodiments, while R4 and R6 may combine to form nearly any ring structure, R4 and R6 do not form a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. In other embodiments, R6 and R10 do not form any aromatic ring, and R4 and R6 do not form any aromatic ring.

In embodiments in which R2 and Y combine to form a ring, in some embodiments, the atom in the ring directly adjacent the Q atom (i.e., the atom on the opposite side of the Q atom to the carbon atom carrying the R8 and R9 groups) is not a chiral center. More specifically, any substituents on that atom are the same as each other, and that atom does not include two different substituents.

For example, in some embodiments, the R2 group on the Q atom, and the Y group combine to form a ring with the Q atom, the carbon atom to which the Y group is attached, and the intervening carbon atom. The ring formed between the R2 group and the Y group can be any type of ring with any number of ring atoms. However, the ring formed from the combination of R2 and Y does not form a benzene ring or ortho-disubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, though, R2 and Y may form other substituted benzene rings. In other embodiments, however, R2 and Y do not form any kind of benzene ring.

In some exemplary embodiments, for example, the ring formed between the R2 group and the Y group may include one or more additional heteroatoms (i.e., additional to the Q atom depicted in Formula 1). In these embodiments, the compounds of Formula 1 may be represented by Formula B, below.

In Formula B, z is 0 or 1, and R1 through R10 are the same as defined above with respect to Formula A. Each of Q1 and Q2 are as defined above with respect to Q1, and are each independently selected from heteroatoms, e.g., N, O, S, P or halogens, such as Cl, I, F or Br. In some embodiments, for example, each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from N or O. Additionally, similar to that described above with respect to Formulae 1 and 1(a), any two or more adjacent R groups can optionally combine to form a carbonyl group on the underlying atom. For example, in some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, as shown in the below Formula 2(a).

Also, in Formula B, each of x, n and m can be any integer of 0 or greater. When x is greater than 1, the plurality of Q2 heteroatoms may be the same as or different from each other. In some embodiments, for example, each of x, n and m is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. In some exemplary embodiments, when x and n are both 0, m may be 1, 2, 3 or 4. Conversely, when x and m are both 0, n may be 1, 2, 3 or 4. These configurations yield compounds having the Formulae B(ii) or B(iii) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below. Also, while m and n are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formula B has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formula B is not particularly limited, and n and m can be any integers corresponding to any ring size. For example, in some embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formula B has from 3 to 12 ring atoms. In some embodiments for example, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring has from 3 to 10 ring atoms. In other embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring has from 5 to 7 ring atoms.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, when x is 1, n and m may be any integer from 0 to 4 such that the sum of n and m may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. For example, in some embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 0 and m may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. In other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 1 and m may be 0, 1 or 2. In still other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 2 and m may be 0 or 1. In yet other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 3 and m may be 0. Conversely, in some embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 0 and n may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. In other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 1 and n may be 0, 1 or 2. In still other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 2 and n may be 0 or 1. In yet other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 3 and n may be 0. These configurations yield compounds of Formula B in which there are two heteroatoms, and include all configurations of the two heteroatoms on the ring. Specifically, these configurations cover every possible position of the second heteroatom (Q2) on the ring depicted in Formula B. Also, while m and n are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formula B has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formula B is not particularly limited, and n and m can be any integers corresponding to any ring size, as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formula B has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In some embodiments, the ring may include the Q atom depicted in Formulae A and B as the only heteroatom, and include any number of additional carbon atoms in the ring. Alternatively, however, the ring depicted in Formulae B and B(i) through B(iii) can have any number of heteroatoms positioned anywhere on the ring. For example, as shown in Formula B and B(i) above, the ring may include the heteroatom depicted in Formulae A and B separated from a group of one or more additional heteroatoms by one or more carbon atoms, or the ring may include two or more heteroatoms that are adjacent each other within the ring. However, according to other embodiments, the ring depicted in Formula B may include three or more heteroatoms which may be adjacent one another or separated from each other by at least one carbon atom. This configuration is depicted in Formulae B(iv) and B(v) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below.

In Formula B(iv) and B(v), z is 0 or 1, each of Q1, Q2 and Q3 is as defined above with respect to Q1, and are each independently a heteroatom, for example, O, N, S, P, or a halogen such as Cl, I, Br or F. Each of R1 through R10 is also as described above with respect to Formulae A, B and B(i) through 2(iii). Each of a, b and c is independently an integer of 0 or greater. In some exemplary embodiments, each of a, b and c may be independently an integer of 0, 1 or 2. For example, in some embodiments, each of a, b and c is 0, yielding a five membered ring including three adjacent heteroatoms. In other embodiments, a is 1 and b and c are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q1 by a carbon atom. In still other embodiments, a is 2 and b and c are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q1 by two carbon atoms.

According to other embodiments, b is 1 and a and c are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q1 and Q2 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q3 by a carbon atom. In still other embodiments, b is 2 and a and c are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q1 and Q2 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q3 by two carbon atoms. In other embodiments, c is 1 and a and b are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q1, Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another. In still other embodiments, c is 2 and a and b are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q1, Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another. Also, while a, b and c are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formulae B, B(iv) and B(v) has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formulae B, B(iv) and B(v) is not particularly limited, and a, b and c can be any integers corresponding to any ring size, as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, a, b and c are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formulae B, B(iv) and B(v) has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In some exemplary embodiments, the ring depicted in Formula B may include four heteroatoms, and the four heteroatoms may be placed on the ring in any manner. For example, some of the heteroatoms may be spaced from each other by one or more ring carbon atoms while others are adjacent, or all heteroatoms may be adjacent each other, or all heteroatoms may be spaced from each other by one or more ring carbon atoms.

Additionally, although the rings discussed above are depicted and described as fully saturated, according to some embodiments of the present invention, any of the rings may be unsaturated (i.e., mono- or poly-unsaturated). To account for these compounds, the heteroatom containing substrate of Formula A may be represented by Formulae C or C(i) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below.

In Formulae C and C(i), z is 0 or 1, and Q1 and R1 through R10 are as defined above with respect to Formulae A, B and B(i) through B(v). Each of A, B and D is independently a carbon atom or a heteroatom. However, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom located directly adjacent the Q1 atom is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb substituents on that atom are the same as each other, and are not two different substituents. Also, the ring formed from Q1, A, B and D is not a benzene ring or an ortho-disubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, though, the ring may be any other substituted benzene ring. In other embodiments, however, the ring is not any kind of benzene ring.

Each of Ra, Rb, R, Rd, Re and Rf may be independently selected from hydrogen atoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, as discussed above, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom located directly adjacent the Q1 atom is not a chiral center, and the Ra and Rb substituents on that atom are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond. For example, R1 and one of the Ra groups may combine to form a double bond, or one of the Rb groups and one of the Rc groups may combine to form a double bond within the ring, or one of the Rd groups and one of the Re groups may combine to form a double bond within the ring. Any number of double bonds may be formed within the ring structure, and the ring structure may be heteroaryl in nature. Alternatively or additionally, two adjacent R groups on the same ring atom (e.g., Ra and Rb, or Rc and Rd, or Re and Rf) can combine to form a carbonyl group on the ring atom.

Each of d, e and f is independently an integer of 0 or greater, for example, an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. When d, e or f is greater than 1, the plurality of A, B or D atoms, and the plurality of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re or Rf groups may be the same as or different from each other. Also, although Formulae C and C(i) above depict a six membered ring, it is understood from the definitions of d, e and f that the ring is not limited to six members, and can have any number of ring atoms, as discussed above with respect to Formulae A, B and B(i) through B(v). Indeed, in some embodiments, the ring has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

Also, in the rings discussed above, any of the ring atoms, whether carbon or heteroatom, can be substituted with a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a halogen or a functional group. Indeed, although the rings depicted in Formulae B and B(i) through B(v) above are depicted with hydrogen atoms on each of the ring atoms, any or all of the hydrogen atoms on any or all of the ring atoms may be substituted with the substituents described above. As shown in Formula C, for example, each of the ring atoms (Q1, A, B and/or D) may include R groups that can be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a halogen or a functional group.

In some embodiments of the present invention, building block compounds created from substrate compounds of Formula A are represented by the below Formula D. The compounds of Formula D include compounds created by the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation of substrate compounds represented by Formula A in which z is 1, Q (or Q1) is O and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group.

As noted above, compounds of Formula D can be made through the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation of a lactone satisfying one of Formulae A, B or C above. Specifically, the compound of Formula D will result when a compound of Formula C (in which z is 1, Q1 is O and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) is subjected to palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation. In Formula D, A, B, D, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R10 are as described above with respect to A through C. Each of Ra, Rb, R, Rd, Re and Rf may be independently selected from hydrogen atoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, similar to that discussed above with respect to Formulae A through C, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb groups on the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond.

In Formulae A, A(i), B, B(i) through B(v), C, C(i), and D above, the heteroatom containing compounds are depicted and described as including a terminal alkenyl group. This position of the alkenyl group may be important in the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction. However, for other uses of the heteroatom containing compounds described here (e.g., as reactants in other reactions), the alkenyl group need not be positioned at the terminal end of the compound. Instead, the alkenyl group can be positioned elsewhere in the compound. Also, the position of the alkenyl group can be modified after the completion of the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction. For example, in compounds of Formula A through C in which z is 0, the alkenyl group can be positioned as shown in the below Formulae A(ii) and A(iii) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) in which z is 0.

In Formula A(ii) and A(iii), Q, Y and R1 through R10 are as described above with respect to Formulae 1, 2, 2(a), 2(b) and 3. However, in Formulae A(ii) and A(iii), z is 0. Also, R11 is selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R10. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups.

In other embodiments, in which the compound is analogous to the compound represented by Formula D, the alkenyl group can be positioned as shown in the below Formula D(i).

In Formula D(i), A, B, D, Ra through Rf, d, e, f, and R3 through R10 are as described above. Also, R11 is selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R10. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. Each of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re and Rf may be independently selected from hydrogen atoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, similar to that discussed above with respect to Formulae A through C, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb groups on the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond. In Formulae A, A(i), B, B(i) through B(v), C, C(i), and D above, the terminal alkenyl group can be reacted (e.g., hydrogenated) to make a corresponding alkyl derivative having the below Formula A(iv) and A(v) (in which the R8 and R9 groups combine to form a carbonyl group, and in which z is 0.

In Formula A(iv) and A(v), Q, Y and R1 through R11 are as described above with respect to Formulae A through C. Also, R′ and R″ are independently selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R11. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 and R′ and R″ may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. Also, it is understood that although Formula A through C are discussed and depicted above as including the terminal alkenyl group, any of those formulae may instead include the terminal alkyl discussed here and depicted in Formulae A(iv) and A(v).

In some embodiments of the present invention in which the heteroatom is a nitrogen atom, the R group on the heteroatom (i.e., Q, Q1, Q2, Q3, or other heteroatoms in the substrates of Formulae A through C) can be an amine protecting group. Those of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand what is meant by “amine protecting group.” However, some nonlimiting examples of suitable amine protecting groups include carboxybenzyl (Cbz) groups, p-methoxybenzyl carbonyl (Moz or MeOZ) groups, tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) groups, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) groups, acetyl (Ac) groups, benzoyl (Bz) groups, benzyl (Bn) groups, carbamate groups, p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) groups, dimethoxybenzyl (DMPM) groups, p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) groups, tosyl (Ts) groups, sulfonamide (Nosyl & Nps) groups, methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), and fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz). For example, in some embodiments, the amine protecting group is selected from tosyl groups (Ts), butyloxycarbonyl groups (BOC), carbobenzyloxy groups (Cbz), fluoreneylmethyloxycarbonyl groups (FMOC), acetyl groups (Ac), methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz), and benzoyl groups (Bz).

In some alternate embodiments, however, the R group(s) on the N can be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group. For example, in some embodiments, the R group(s) on the N atom may be H or OH. In some exemplary embodiments, for example, z is 0 and R1 is H or OH.

As used herein, the term “hydrocarbyl groups” refers to univalent hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, for example, from 1 to 24 carbon atoms or 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The term “hydrocarbyl groups” includes linear, branched, cyclic, saturated and unsaturated species, for example, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, and the like. Also, as used herein, the term “substituted,” as in “substituted hydrocarbyl groups,” refers to a hydrocarbyl group in which one or more hydrogen atoms (bonded to a carbon atom) is replaced with one or more non-hydrogen functional groups.

The term “functional groups” would be readily understood to those of ordinary skill in the art. However, some nonlimiting examples of suitable functional groups for use in the Formulae and substrates described above include halogens, hydroxyl groups, sulfhydryl groups, alkoxy groups (e.g., having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms), alkenyloxy groups (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms), alkynyloxy groups (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms), aryloxy groups (e.g., having from 5 to 24 carbon atoms), acyl groups including alkylcarbonyl groups of the formula —CO-alkyl (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms) and arylcarbonyl groups of the formula —CO-aryl (e.g., having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), acyloxy groups having the formula —O-acyl, alkoxycarbonyl groups having the formula —(CO)—O-alkyl (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms), carbonyl groups (including aldehyde moieties having the formula —(CO)—H) and ketone moieties having the formula —(CO)—R where R is any hydrocarbyl group), aryloxycarbonyl groups having the formula —(CO)—O-aryl (e.g., having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), halocarbonyl groups having the formula —CO—X (where X is a halogen), alkylcarbonato groups having the formula —O—(CO)—O-alkyl (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms), arylcarbonato groups having the formula —O—(CO)—O-aryl (e.g., having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), carboxyl groups having the formula —COOH, carboxylato groups having the formula —COO, carbamoyl groups having the formula —(CO)—NH, mono-alkyl substituted carbamoyl groups having the formula —(CO)—NH-alkyl (e.g., the alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms), di-alkyl substituted carbamoyl groups having the formula —(CO)—N-alkyl₂ (e.g., each alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms), mono-aryl substituted carbamoyl groups having the formula —(CO)—NH-aryl (e.g., the aryl group having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), di-aryl substituted carbamoyl groups having the formula —(CO)—N-aryl₂ (e.g., each aryl group having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), di-N(alkyl)-N(aryl) substituted carbamoyl groups having the formula —(CO)—N-(alkyl)(aryl), thiocarbamoyl groups having the formula —(CS)—NH₂, carbamido groups having the formula —NH—(CO)—NH₂, cyano groups, isocyano groups, cyanato groups, isocyanato groups, isothiocyanato groups, azido groups, formyl groups, thioformyl groups, amino groups, mono-alkyl substituted amino groups (e.g., the alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms), di-alkyl substituted amino groups (e.g., the alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms), mono-aryl substituted amino groups (e.g., the aryl group having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), di-aryl substituted amino groups (e.g., each aryl group having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), alkylamido groups having the formula —NH—(CO)-alkyl (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms), arylamido groups having the formula —NH—(CO)-aryl (e.g., having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms), imino groups having the formula —CR═NH (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, etc.), alkyl imino groups having the formula —CR═N-alkyl (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, etc.), aryl imino groups having the formula —CR═N-aryl (where R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, etc.), nitro groups, nitroso groups having the formula —NO, sulfo groups having the formula —SO₂—OH, sulfonato groups having the formula —SO₂—O—, alkylsulfanyl groups having the formula —S-alkyl (also called, interchangeably, alkylthio groups), arylsulfanyl groups having the formula —S-aryl (also called, interchangeably arylthio groups), alkylsulfinyl groups having the formula —(SO)-alkyl, arylsulfinyl groups having the formula —(SO)-aryl, alkylsulfonyl groups having the formula —SO₂-alkyl, arylsulfonyl groups having the formula —SO₂-aryl, boryl groups having the formula —BH₂, borono groups having the formula —B(OH)₂, boronato groups having the formula —B(OR)₂ (where R is alkyl or another hydrocarbyl group), phosphono groups having the formula —P(O)(OH)₂, phosphonato groups having the formula —P(O)(O)₂, phosphinato groups having the formula —P(O)(O), phospho groups having the formula —PO₂, and phosphino groups having the formula —PH₂.

In addition to, or instead of, being substituted with a functional group, the substituted species may be substituted with hydrocarbyl groups, for example, alkyl groups (e.g., having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or from 1 to 6 carbon atoms), alkenyl groups (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 2 to 13 carbon atoms, or from 2 to 6 carbon atoms), alkynyl groups (e.g., having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, or from 2 to 6 carbon atoms), aryl groups (e.g., having from 5 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 5 to 14 carbon atoms), alkaryl groups (i.e., aryl with an alkyl substituent, e.g., having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 6 to 16 carbon atoms), and/or aralkyl groups (i.e., alkyl with an aryl substituent, e.g., having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 6 to 16 carbon atoms). Also, any of the functional groups or hydrocarbyl group substituents may be further substituted (if the group permits) with one or more additional functional groups or hydrocarbyl groups.

Nonlimiting examples of compounds satisfying the above formulae include heteroatom containing substrates, and heteroatom containing building blocks, both of which are described in more detail below.

Heteroatom Containing Substrates

As discussed above, transition metal-catalyzed allylic alkylation can be used for the enantioselective preparation of chiral substances. According to embodiments of the present invention, heteroatom containing substrates useful in the transition metal-catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction include cyclic and acyclic heteroatom containing compounds represented by Formula 1.

In Formula 1, Q is a heteroatom, for example, N, O, P, S or a halogen such as Cl, I, Br or F. In some embodiments, for example, Q is N or O. Each of R1 through R10 is independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, or functional groups. However, in some embodiments, R3 is not hydrogen. In some embodiments, in which R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed below), R3 is also not phenyl or substituted phenyl. In yet other embodiments, in which R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed below), R3 is not a simple carbonyl group. However, in some embodiments, in which R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed below), R3 may be a substituted carbonyl group, e.g., a carbonyl group substituted hydrocarbyl group or heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group or functional group. In some embodiments, though, R3 does not include any carbonyl groups, whether substituted or unsubstituted. In yet other embodiments, in which R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group (as discussed below), R3 is not an ethyl group. However, in some embodiments, R3 may be a substituted ethyl group, and R3 may be any other alkyl group (or other group as described above). In some embodiments, though, R3 is not an ethyl group or a substituted ethyl group. Also, in some embodiments, the carbon atom to which the R3 group is attached is a chiral, stereogenic center, i.e., R3 and Y are not the same.

Y may be selected from hydrogen, heteroatoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, or functional groups. Additionally, any two or more adjacent R and Y groups can optionally combine to form a carbonyl group on the underlying atom. For example, in some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, as shown in the below Formula 1(a).

Also, any two or more adjacent R and Y groups can optionally combine to form a ring, e.g., a cyclic, heterocyclic, aryl or heteroaryl ring. Indeed, in some embodiments, although Formula 1 depicts an acyclic heteroatom containing compound, Formula 1 also encompasses cyclic, heterocyclic, aryl and heteroaryl compounds. Also, in some embodiments, while R6 and R10 may combine to form nearly any ring structure, R6 and R10 do not form a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, R6 and R10 do not form any aromatic ring. Similarly, in some embodiments, while R4 and R6 may combine to form nearly any ring structure, R4 and R6 do not form a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, R4 and R6 do not form any aromatic ring.

In embodiments in which R2 and Y combine to form a ring, in some embodiments, the atom in the ring directly adjacent the Q atom (i.e., the atom on the opposite side of the Q atom to the carbon atom carrying the R8 and R9 groups) is not a chiral center. More specifically, any substituents on that atom are the same as each other, and that atom does not include two different substituents.

For example, in some embodiments, the R2 group on the Q atom, and the Y group combine to form a ring with the Q atom, the carbon atom to which the Y group is attached, and the intervening carbon atom. The ring formed between the R2 group and the Y group can be any type of ring with any number of ring atoms. However, the ring formed from the combination of R2 and Y does not form a benzene ring or ortho-disubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, though, R2 and Y may form other substituted benzene rings. In other embodiments, however, R2 and Y do not form any kind of benzene ring.

In some exemplary embodiments, for example, the ring formed between the R2 group and the Y group may include one or more additional heteroatoms (i.e., additional to the Q atom depicted in Formula 1). In these embodiments, the compounds of Formula 1 may be represented by Formula 2, below.

In Formula 2, R1 through R10 are the same as defined above with respect to Formula 1. Each of Q1 and Q2 are as defined above with respect to Q1, and are each independently selected from heteroatoms, e.g., N, O, S, P or halogens, such as Cl, I, F or Br. In some embodiments, for example, each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from N or O. Additionally, similar to that described above with respect to Formulae 1 and 1(a), any two or more adjacent R groups can optionally combine to form a carbonyl group on the underlying atom. For example, in some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, as shown in the below Formula 2(a).

Also, in Formula 2, each of x, n and m can be any integer of 0 or greater. When x is greater than 1, the plurality of Q2 heteroatoms may be the same as or different from each other. In some embodiments, for example, each of x, n and m is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. In some exemplary embodiments, when x and n are both 0, m may be 1, 2, 3 or 4. Conversely, when x and m are both 0, n may be 1, 2, 3 or 4. These configurations yield compounds having the Formulae 2(b) or 2(c) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below. Also, while m and n are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formula 2 has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formula 2 is not particularly limited, and n and m can be any integers corresponding to any ring size. For example, in some embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formula 2 has from 3 to 12 ring atoms. In some embodiments for example, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring has from 3 to 10 ring atoms. In other embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring has from 5 to 7 ring atoms.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, when x is 1, n and m may be any integer from 0 to 4 such that the sum of n and m may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. For example, in some embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 0 and m may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. In other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 1 and m may be 0, 1 or 2. In still other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 2 and m may be 0 or 1. In yet other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 3 and m may be 0. Conversely, in some embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 0 and n may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. In other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 1 and n may be 0, 1 or 2. In still other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 2 and n may be 0 or 1. In yet other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 3 and n may be 0. These configurations yield compounds of Formula 2 in which there are two heteroatoms, and cover all configurations of the two heteroatoms. Specifically, these configurations cover every possible position of the second heteroatom (Q2) on the ring depicted in Formula 2. Also, while m and n are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formula 2 has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formula 2 is not particularly limited, and n and m can be any integers corresponding to any ring size, as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formula 2 has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In some embodiments, the ring may include the Q atom depicted in Formulae 1 and 2 as the only heteroatom, and include any number of additional carbon atoms in the ring. Alternatively, however, the ring depicted in Formulae 2 and 2(a) through 2(c) can have any number of heteroatoms positioned anywhere on the ring. For example, as shown in Formula 2 and 2(a) above, the ring may include the heteroatom depicted in Formulae 1 and 2 separated from a group of one or more additional heteroatoms by one or more carbon atoms, or the ring may include two or more heteroatoms that are adjacent each other within the ring. However, according to other embodiments, the ring depicted in Formula 2 may include three or more heteroatoms which may be adjacent one another or separated from each other by at least one carbon atom. This configuration is depicted in Formulae 2(d) and 2(e) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below.

In Formula 2(d) and 2(e), each of Q1, Q2 and Q3 is as defined above with respect to Q1, and are each independently a heteroatom, for example, O, N, S, P, or a halogen such as Cl, I, Br or F. Each of R1 through R10 is also as described above with respect to Formulae 1, 2 and 2(a) through 2(c). Each of a, b and c is independently an integer of 0 or greater. In some exemplary embodiments, each of a, b and c may be independently an integer of 0, 1 or 2. For example, in some embodiments, each of a, b and c is 0, yielding a five membered ring including three adjacent heteroatoms. In other embodiments, a is 1 and b and c are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q1 by a carbon atom. In still other embodiments, a is 2 and b and c are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q1 by two carbon atoms.

According to other embodiments, b is 1 and a and c are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q1 and Q2 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q3 by a carbon atom. In still other embodiments, b is 2 and a and c are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q1 and Q2 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q3 by two carbon atoms.

In other embodiments, c is 1 and a and b are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q1, Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another. In still other embodiments, c is 2 and a and b are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q1, Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another. Also, while a, b and c are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formulae 2, 2(d) and 2(e) has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formulae 2, 2(d) and 2(e) is not particularly limited, and a, b and c can be any integers corresponding to any ring size, as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, a, b and c are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formulae 2, 2(d) and 2(e) has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In some exemplary embodiments, the ring depicted in Formula 2 may include four heteroatoms, and the four heteroatoms may be placed on the ring in any manner. For example, some of the heteroatoms may be spaced from each other by one or more ring carbon atoms while others are adjacent, or all heteroatoms may be adjacent each other, or all heteroatoms may be spaced from each other by one or more ring carbon atoms.

Additionally, although the rings discussed above are depicted and described as fully saturated, according to some embodiments of the present invention, any of the rings may be unsaturated (i.e., mono- or poly-unsaturated). To account for these compounds, the heteroatom containing substrate of Formula 1 may be represented by Formulae 3 or 3(a) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below.

In Formulae 3 and 3(a), Q1 and R1 through R10 are as defined above with respect to Formulae 1, 2 and 2(a) through 2(e). Each of A, B and D is independently a carbon atom or a heteroatom. However, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom located directly adjacent the Q1 atom is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb substituents on that atom are the same as each other, and are not two different substituents. Also, the ring formed from Q1, A, B and D is not a benzene ring or an ortho-disubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, though, the ring may be any other substituted benzene ring. In other embodiments, however, the ring is not any kind of benzene ring.

Each of Ra, Rb, R, Rd, Re and Rf may be independently selected from hydrogen atoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, as discussed above, in some embodiments, in which d is greater than 1, the A atom located directly adjacent the Q1 atom is not a chiral center, and the Ra and Rb substituents on that atom are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond. For example, R1 and one of the Ra groups may combine to form a double bond, one of the Rb groups and one of the Rc groups may combine to form a double bond within the ring, or one of the Rd groups and one of the Re groups may combine to form a double bond within the ring. Any number of double bonds may be formed within the ring structure, and the ring structure may be heteroaryl in nature. Alternatively or additionally, two adjacent R groups on the same ring atom (e.g., Ra and Rb, or Rc and Rd, or Re and Rf) can combine to form a carbonyl group on the ring atom. Each of d, e and f is independently an integer of 0 or greater, for example, an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. When d, e or f is greater than 1, the plurality of A, B or D atoms, and the plurality of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re or Rf groups may be the same as or different from each other. Also, although Formulae 3 and 3(a) above depict a six membered ring, it is understood from the definitions of d, e and f that the ring is not limited to six members, and can have any number of ring atoms, as discussed above with respect to Formulae 1, 2 and 2(a) through 2(e). Indeed, in some embodiments, the ring has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

Also, in the rings discussed above, any of the ring atoms, whether carbon or heteroatom, can be substituted with a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a halogen or a functional group. Indeed, although the rings depicted in Formulae 2 and 2(a) through 2(e) above are depicted with hydrogen atoms on each of the ring atoms, any or all of the hydrogen atoms on any or all of the ring atoms may be substituted with the substituents described above. As shown in Formula 3, for example, each of the ring atoms (Q1, A, B and/or D) may include R groups that can be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a halogen or a functional group.

In Formulae 1, 1(a), 2, 2(a) through 2(b), 3 and 3(a) above, the heteroatom containing substrates are depicted and described as including a terminal alkenyl group. This position of the alkenyl group may be important for the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction used to create the building blocks described below. However, for other uses of the heteroatom containing substrates described here (e.g., as reactants in other reactions), the alkenyl group need not be positioned at the terminal end of the compound. Instead, the alkenyl group can be positioned elsewhere in the compound. For example, the alkenyl group can be positioned as shown in the below Formulae 1(b) and 1(c) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group).

In Formula 1(a), Q, Y and R1 through R10 are as described above with respect to Formulae 1, 2, 2(a), 2(b) and 3. Also, R11 is selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R9. Specifically, each of R1 through R10 may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups.

In Formulae 1 through 3 above, the terminal alkenyl group can be reacted (e.g., hydrogenated) to make a corresponding alkyl derivative having the below Formula 1(d) and 1(e) (in which the R8 and R9 groups combine to form a carbonyl group, and in which z is 0.

In Formula 1(d) and 1(e), Q, Y and R1 through R11 are as described above with respect to Formulae A through C. Also, R′ and R″ are independently selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R11. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 and R′ and R″ may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. Also, it is understood that although Formula 1 through 3 are discussed and depicted above as including the terminal alkenyl group, any of those formulae may instead include the terminal alkyl discussed here and depicted in Formulae 1(d) and 1(e).

In some embodiments of the present invention in which the heteroatom is a nitrogen atom, the R group on the heteroatom (i.e., Q, Q1, Q2, Q3, or other heteroatoms in the substrates of Formulae 1 through 3) can be an amine protecting group. Those of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand what is meant by “amine protecting group.” However, some nonlimiting examples of suitable amine protecting groups include carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) groups, p-methoxybenzyl carbonyl (Moz or MeOZ) groups, tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) groups, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) groups, acetyl (Ac) groups, benzoyl (Bz) groups, benzyl (Bn) groups, carbamate groups, p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) groups, dimethoxybenzyl (DMPM) groups, p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) groups, tosyl (Ts) groups, sulfonamide (Nosyl & Nps) groups, methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), and fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz). For example, in some embodiments, the amine protecting group is selected from tosyl groups (Ts), butyloxycarbonyl groups (BOC), carbobenzyloxy groups (Cbz), fluoreneylmethyloxycarbonyl groups (FMOC), acetyl groups (Ac), methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz), and benzoyl groups (Bz).

Also, the substrate compounds are generally racemic, i.e., an equimolar mixture of the (+) and (−) enantiomers of the compound. However, in some embodiments, the substrates may be enantioenriched compounds in which one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers is present in an enantiomeric excess. Indeed, as used herein, the term “enantionriched” refers to an enantiomeric excess of the particular enantiomer of the compound. Specifically, the substrate compounds according to some embodiments of the present invention include on eof (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess, thus creating an “enantioenriched” substrate compound. In some embodiments, for example, the enantioenriched substrate compound may include one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess of greater than 50%, for example, about 60% or greater, or about 70% or greater, or about 80%. or greater According to some embodiments, the enantioenriched substrate compound may include one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess of about 90% or greater. In other embodiments, the enantioenriched substrate compound may include one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess of about 90% to about 99%.

Some nonlimiting examples of substrates satisfying the above formulae, according to embodiments of the present invention, include the compounds depicted below. It is understood that although some of the nitrogen atoms in some of the nitrogen containing-compounds listed below include protecting groups, the nitrogen atoms do not necessarily include a protecting group. Indeed, in some embodiments of the present invention, a hydrogen atom is attached to the nitrogen atom. In each of the examples listed below, the protecting group on any of the nitrogen atoms can be replaced with a hydrogen atom.

Heteroatom Containing Building Blocks

The heteroatom containing substrates described above may be used to create novel building block compounds useful in the formation of numerous other chemical and pharmaceutical compounds. Indeed, the novel substrates discussed above are designed to create the novel building blocks discussed here via palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reactions. These reactions, when performed on racemic compositions of the substrates described above yield enantioenriched compositions of the building block compounds. As the building blocks discussed here are the result of palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation of the substrates discussed above, the structures of these compounds are similar in many respects to their corresponding substrates. However, as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the differences in the structures, the stereochemistry, enantioselectivity and chemical and physical properties of the building blocks can be significantly different from those of their corresponding substrates.

According to embodiments of the present invention, heteroatom containing building blocks useful in the creation of target compounds include cyclic and acyclic heteroatom containing building blocks represented by Formula 4.

In Formula 4, as in Formula 1 (of the counterpart heteroatom containing substrates), Q is a heteroatom, for example, N, O, P, S or a halogen such as Cl, I, Br or F. In some embodiments, for example, Q is N or O. Each of R1 through R10 is independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, or functional groups. However, in some embodiments, R3 is not hydrogen. In some embodiments, in which z is 0 and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, R3 is also not phenyl or substituted phenyl. In yet other embodiments, in which z is 0 and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, R3 is not a simple carbonyl group. However, in some embodiments, R3 may be a substituted carbonyl group, e.g., a carbonyl group substituted hydrocarbyl group or heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group or functional group. In some embodiments, though, R3 does not include any carbonyl groups, whether substituted or unsubstituted. In yet other embodiments, in which z is 0 and R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, R3 is not an ethyl group. However, in some embodiments, R3 may be a substituted ethyl group, and R3 may be any other alkyl group (or other group as described above). In some embodiments, though, R3 is not an ethyl group or a substituted ethyl group. Also, in some embodiments, the carbon atom to which the R3 group is attached is a chiral, stereogenic center, i.e., R3 and Y are not the same.

Y may be selected from hydrogen, heteroatoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, or functional groups. Additionally, any two or more adjacent R and Y groups can optionally combine to form a carbonyl group on the underlying atom. For example, in some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, as shown in the below Formula 4(a).

Also, any two or more adjacent R and Y groups can optionally combine to form a ring, e.g., a cyclic, heterocyclic, aryl or heteroaryl ring. Indeed, in some embodiments, although Formula 4 depicts an acyclic heteroatom containing compound, Formula 4 also encompass cyclic, heterocyclic, aryl and heteroaryl compounds. Also, in some embodiments, while R6 and R10 may combine to form nearly any ring structure, R6 and R10 do not form a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, R6 and R10 do not form any aromatic ring. Similarly, in some embodiments, while R4 and R6 may combine to form nearly any ring structure, R4 and R6 do not form a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, R4 and R6 do not form any aromatic ring.

In embodiments in which R2 and Y combine to form a ring, in some embodiments, the atom in the ring directly adjacent the Q atom (i.e., the atom on the opposite side of the Q atom to the carbon atom carrying the R8 and R9 groups) is not a chiral center. More specifically, any substituents on that atom are the same as each other, and that atom does not include two different substituents.

For example, in some embodiments, the R2 group on the Q atom, and the Y group combine to form a ring with the Q atom, the carbon atom to which the Y group is attached, and the intervening carbon atom. The ring formed between the R2 group and the Y group can be any type of ring with any number of ring atoms. However, the ring formed from the combination of R2 and Y does not form a benzene ring or ortho-disubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, though, R2 and Y may form other substituted benzene rings. In other embodiments, however, R2 and Y do not form any kind of benzene ring.

In some exemplary embodiments, for example, the ring formed between the R2 group and the Y group may include one or more additional heteroatoms (i.e., additional to the Q atom depicted in Formula 4). In these embodiments, the compounds of Formula 4 may be represented by Formula 5, below.

In Formula 5, R1 through R10 are the same as defined above with respect to Formula 4. Each of Q1 and Q2 are as defined above with respect to Q1, and are each independently selected from heteroatoms, e.g., N, O, S, P or halogens, such as Cl, I, F or Br. In some embodiments, for example, each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from N or O. Additionally, similar to that described above with respect to Formulae 4 and 4(a), any two or more adjacent R groups can optionally combine to form a carbonyl group on the underlying atom. For example, in some embodiments, R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group, as shown in the below Formula 5(a).

Also, in Formula 5, each of x, n and m can be any integer of 0 or greater. When x is greater than 1, the plurality of Q2 heteroatoms may be the same as or different from each other. In some embodiments, for example, each of x, n and m is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. In some exemplary embodiments, when x and n are both 0, m may be 1, 2, 3 or 4. Conversely, when x and m are both 0, n may be 1, 2, 3 or 4. These configurations yield compounds having the Formulae 5(b) or 5(c) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below. Also, while m and n are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formula 5 has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formula 5 is not particularly limited, and n and m can be any integers corresponding to any ring size. For example, in some embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formula 5 has from 3 to 12 ring atoms. In some embodiments for example, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring has from 3 to 10 ring atoms. In other embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring has from 5 to 7 ring atoms.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, when x is 1, n and m may be any integer from 0 to 4 such that the sum of n and m may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. For example, in some embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 0 and m may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. In other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 1 and m may be 0, 1 or 2. In still other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 2 and m may be 0 or 1. In yet other embodiments, when x is 1, n may be 3 and m may be 0. Conversely, in some embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 0 and n may be 0, 1, 2 or 3. In other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 1 and n may be 0, 1 or 2. In still other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 2 and n may be 0 or 1. In yet other embodiments, when x is 1, m may be 3 and n may be 0. These configurations yield compounds of Formula 5 in which there are two heteroatoms, and cover all configurations of the two heteroatoms. Specifically, these configurations cover every possible position of the second heteroatom (Q2) on the ring depicted in Formula 5. Also, while m and n are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formula 5 has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formula 5 is not particularly limited, and n and m can be any integers corresponding to any ring size, as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, n and m are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formula 5 has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In some embodiments, the ring may include the Q atom depicted in Formulae 4 and 5 as the only heteroatom, and include any number of additional carbon atoms in the ring. Alternatively, however, the ring depicted in Formulae 5 and 5(a) through 5(c) can have any number of heteroatoms positioned anywhere on the ring. For example, as shown in Formula 5 and 5(a) above, the ring may include the heteroatom depicted in Formulae 4 and 5 separated from a group of one or more additional heteroatoms by one or more carbon atoms, or the ring may include two or more heteroatoms that are adjacent each other within the ring. However, according to other embodiments, the ring depicted in Formula 5 may include three or more heteroatoms which may be adjacent one another or separated from each other by at least one carbon atom. This configuration is depicted in Formulae 5(d) and 5(e) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below.

In Formula 5(d) and 5(e), each of Q1, Q2 and Q3 is as defined above with respect to Q1, and each is independently a heteroatom, for example, O, N, S, P, or a halogen such as Cl, I, Br or F. Each of R1 through R10 is also as described above with respect to Formulae 4, 5 and 5(a) through 5(c). Each of a, b and c is independently an integer of 0 or greater. In some exemplary embodiments, each of a, b and c may be independently an integer of 0, 1 or 2. For example, in some embodiments, each of a, b and c is 0, yielding a five membered ring including three adjacent heteroatoms. In other embodiments, a is 1 and b and c are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q1 by a carbon atom. In still other embodiments, a is 2 and b and c are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q1 by two carbon atoms.

According to other embodiments, b is 1 and a and c are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q1 and Q2 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q3 by a carbon atom. In still other embodiments, b is 2 and a and c are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q1 and Q2 are adjacent one another and Q2 is separated from Q3 by two carbon atoms.

In other embodiments, c is 1 and a and b are both 0, yielding a six membered ring in which Q1, Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another. In still other embodiments, c is 2 and a and b are both 0, yielding a seven membered ring in which Q1, Q2 and Q3 are adjacent one another. Also, while a, b and c are defined here such that the ring depicted in Formulae 5, 5(d) and 5(e) has up to 7 ring atoms, it is understood that the size of the ring in Formulae 5, 5(d) and 5(e) is not particularly limited, and a, b and c can be any integers corresponding to any ring size, as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, a, b and c are integers such that the resulting ring depicted in Formulae 5, 5(d) and 5(e) has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In some exemplary embodiments, the ring depicted in Formula 5 may include four heteroatoms, and the four heteroatoms may be placed on the ring in any manner. For example, some of the heteroatoms may be spaced from each other by one or more ring carbon atoms while others are adjacent, or all heteroatoms may be adjacent each other, or all heteroatoms may be spaced from each other by one or more ring carbon atoms.

Additionally, although the rings discussed above may be depicted and described as fully saturated, according to some embodiments of the present invention, any of the rings may be unsaturated (i.e., mono- or poly-unsaturated). To account for these compounds, the heteroatom containing substrate of Formula 4 may be represented by Formulae 6 or 6(a) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group) below.

In Formulae 6 and 6(a), Q1 and R1 through R10 are as defined above with respect to Formulae 4, 5 and 5(a) through 5(e). Each of A, B and D is independently a carbon atom or a heteroatom. However, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom located directly adjacent the Q1 atom is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb substituents on that atom are the same as each other, and are not two different substituents. Also, the ring formed from Q1, A, B and D is not a benzene ring or an ortho-disubstituted benzene ring. In some embodiments, though, the ring may be any other substituted benzene ring. In other embodiments, however, the ring is not any kind of benzene ring.

Each of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re and Rf may be independently selected from hydrogen atoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, as discussed above, in some embodiments, in which d is greater than 1, the A atom located directly adjacent the Q1 atom is not a chiral center, and the Ra and Rb substituents on that atom are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond. For example, R1 and one of the Ra groups may combine to form a double bond, one of the Rb groups and one of the Rc groups may combine to form a double bond within the ring, or one of the Rd groups and one of the Re groups may combine to form a double bond within the ring. Any number of double bonds may be formed within the ring structure, and the ring structure may be heteroaryl in nature. Alternatively or additionally, two adjacent R groups on the same ring atom (e.g., Ra and Rb, or Rc and Rd, or Re and Rf) can combine to form a carbonyl group on the ring atom. Each of d, e and f is independently an integer of 0 or greater, for example, an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. When d, e or f is greater than 1, the plurality of A, B or D atoms, and the plurality of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re or Rf groups may be the same as or different from each other. Also, although Formulae 6 and 6(a) above depict a six membered ring, it is understood from the definitions of d, e and f that the ring is not limited to six members, and can have any number of ring atoms, as discussed above with respect to Formulae 4, 4 and 4(a) through 4(e). Indeed, in some embodiments, the ring has from 3 to 12 ring atoms, for example 3 to 10 ring atoms or 5 to 7 ring atoms.

Also, in the rings discussed above, any of the ring atoms, whether carbon or heteroatom, can be substituted with a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a halogen or a functional group. Indeed, although the rings depicted in Formulae 5 and 5(a) through 5(e) above are depicted with hydrogen atoms on each of the ring atoms, any or all of the hydrogen atoms on any or all of the ring atoms may be substituted with the substituents described above. As shown in Formula 6, for example, each of the ring atoms (Q1, A, B and/or D) may include R groups that can be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a halogen or a functional group.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the building block compounds can have an alternate structure represented by the below Formulae D. The compounds of Formula D include compounds created by the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation of substrate compounds represented by Formula 1(a), 2(a) or 3(a) in which Q (or Q1) is O.

As noted above, compounds of Formula D can be made through the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation of a lactone satisfying one of Formulae 1(a), 2(a) or 3(a) above. Specifically, the compound of Formula D will result when a compound of Formula 3(a) (in which Q1 is O) is subjected to palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation. In Formula D, A, B, D, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R10 are as described above with respect to Formulae 1 through 3. For example, each of Ra, Rb, R, Rd, Re and Rf may be independently selected from hydrogen atoms, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, similar to that discussed above with respect to Formulae A through C and 4 through 6, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb groups on the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond. In Formulae 4, 4(a), 5, 5(a) through 5(b), 6 and 6(a) above, the heteroatom containing building blocks are depicted and described as including a terminal alkenyl group. This position of the alkenyl group may be imparted by the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction used to create the building blocks. However, after creation via the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction, the building blocks can be further modified to move the alkenyl group to a position other than the terminal end of the compound. For example, the alkenyl group can be positioned as shown in the below Formulae 4(b) and 4(c) (where R8 and R9 combine to form a carbonyl group).

In Formula 4(a), Q, Y and R1 through R10 are as described above with respect to Formulae 4, 5, 5(a) through 5(e), 6 and 6(a). Also, R11 is selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R9. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups.

In other embodiments, in which the compound is analogous to the compound represented by Formula D, the alkenyl group can be positioned as shown in the below Formula D(i).

In Formula D(i), A, B, D, Ra through Rf, d, e, f, and R3 through R10 are as described above. Also, R11 is selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R10. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. However, similar to that discussed above with respect to Formulae A through C and 4 through 6, in some embodiments, in which d is 1 or greater, the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group is not a chiral center. More specifically, the Ra and Rb groups on the A atom that is directly adjacent the OH group are the same as each other. In some embodiments, however, one R group on each of two adjacent ring atoms can combine to form a bond, thereby creating a double bond within the ring structure. Specifically, each of Ra through Rf is either: independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group; or combines with another of Ra through Rf to form a double bond.

Additionally, in Formulae 4, 4(a), 5, 5(a) through 5(b), 6 and 6(a) above, the heteroatom containing building blocks are depicted and described as potentially including non-hydrogen R groups (R7 and or R10) on the terminal alkenyl group. In embodiments in which the building blocks include such a non-hydrogen R group on the terminal alkenyl group, the R group is added via a reaction occurring after the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction used to create the building block. Specifically, while the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction may result in building blocks including only hydrogen on the terminal alkenyl, if desired, the building block furnished by the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction can be further modified to substitute one or both of the hydrogen atoms on the terminal alkenyl group with a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl, a halogen or a functional group.

In Formulae 4 through 6 above, the terminal alkenyl group can be reacted (e.g., hydrogenated) to make a corresponding alkyl derivative having the below Formula 4(d) and 4(e) (in which the R8 and R9 groups combine to form a carbonyl group) in which z is 0.

In Formula 4(d) and 4(e), Q, Y and R1 through R11 are as described above with respect to Formulae A through C. Also, R′ and R″ are independently selected from the same substituents described above for R1 through R11. Specifically, each of R1 through R11 and R′ and R″ may be independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl groups, halogens or functional groups. Also, it is understood that although Formula 4 through 6 are discussed and depicted above as including the terminal alkenyl group, any of those formulae may instead include the terminal alkyl discussed here and depicted in Formulae 4(d) and 4(e).

In some embodiments of the present invention in which the heteroatom is a nitrogen atom, the R group on the heteroatom (i.e., Q, Q1, Q2, Q3, or other heteroatoms in the building blocks of Formulae 4 through 6) can be an amine protecting group. Those of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand what is meant by “amine protecting group.” However, some nonlimiting examples of suitable amine protecting groups include carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) groups, p-methoxybenzyl carbonyl (Moz or MeOZ) groups, tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) groups, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) groups, acetyl (Ac) groups, benzoyl (Bz) groups, benzyl (Bn) groups, carbamate groups, p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) groups, dimethoxybenzyl (DMPM) groups, p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) groups, tosyl (Ts) groups, sulfonamide (Nosyl & Nps) groups, methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), and fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz). For example, in some embodiments, the amine protecting group is selected from tosyl groups (Ts), butyloxycarbonyl groups (BOC), carbobenzyloxy groups (Cbz), fluoreneylmethyloxycarbonyl groups (FMOC), acetyl groups (Ac), methoxybenzoyl groups (OMe-Bz), fluorobenzoyl groups (F-Bz), and benzoyl groups (Bz).

In some alternate embodiments, however, the R group(s) on the N can be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, or a functional group. For example, in some embodiments, the R group(s) on the N atom may be H or OH.

Also, the building blocks described above are generally formed from the racemic form of the corresponding substrate compound. The resulting building block compounds may also be racemic, however, in some embodiments, the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation procedures result in enantioenriched building block compounds. As used herein, the term “enantionriched” refers to an enantiomeric excess of the particular enantiomer of the compound. Specifically, the building block compounds according to embodiments of the present invention include on eof (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess, thus creating an “enantioenriched” building block compound. In some embodiments, for example, the enantioenriched building block compound may include one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess of greater than 50%, for example, about 60% or greater, or about 70% or greater, or about 80%. or greater According to some embodiments, the enantioenriched building block compound may include one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess of about 90% or greater. In other embodiments, the enantioenriched building block compound may include one of the (+) or (−) enantiomers in an enantiomeric excess of about 90% to about 99%.

Some nonlimiting examples of building blocks satisfying the above formula, according to embodiments of the present invention, include the compounds depicted below. It is understood that although some of the nitrogen atoms in some of the nitrogen containing-compounds listed below include protecting groups, the nitrogen atoms do not necessarily include protecting groups. Indeed, in some embodiments of the present invention, hydrogen atoms are attached to the nitrogen atoms. In each of the examples listed below, the protecting group on any of the nitrogen atoms can be replaced with a hydrogen atom.

Palladium Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkylation Reaction

As discussed above, decarboxylative alkylation chemistry, and related allylic alkylation methods have been used in the creation of certain classes of compounds, e. g., α-quaternary ketones.

The building blocks according to embodiments of the present invention, discussed in detail above, can be prepared by the transition metal catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation processes discussed in the references cited above. However, further investigation into the known ketone allylic alkylation reactions (and other related reactions), as discussed here, led to increased enantio- and stereo-selectivity of the reaction to yield highly enantioenriched building block compounds.

In the course of investigating the ketone enolate allylic alkylation and other alkylation processes, interesting ligand electronic effects and, in certain cases, pronounced solvent effects were encountered. McDougal, et al., “High-throughput screening of the asymmetric decarboxylative alkylation reaction of enolate-stabilized enol carbonates,” Synlett 1712-1716 (2010), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, it was found that for inductively- and resonance-stabilized enolates, highly electron deficient ligands and nonpolar solvents are desired. With these findings as a backdrop, further probing of these subtle effects involved examination of enolate reactivity in a lactam series that would be amenable to both steric and electronic fine-tuning. This further probing led to ligand and solvent designs useful for the alkylation of N-heterocycles (and other nitrogen containing compounds) and the construction of the novel building block compounds (discussed above) that are useful for medicinal and polymer chemistry.

Preliminary data suggested that electron rich N-alkyl lactam derivatives were poor substrates for decarboxylative alkylation due to low reactivity. Thus, electron withdrawing N-protecting groups were chosen. These substrates were screened across a series of four solvents (THF, MTBE, toluene, and 2:1 hexane-toluene) while employing two electronically distinct ligands on Pd. Specifically, the reactions used in the screening were carried out using racemic lactams 1a through 1h (depicted below) as the reactants, a Pd2(dba)3 catalyst (5 mol %), a solvent and a ligand. For each of the lactam compounds 1a through 1h, eight experiments were carried out. Specifically, four experiments were carried out using the same first ligand, i.e., (S)-t-BuPHOX (12.5 mol %), but varying the solvent (0.033 M) between THF, MTBE, toluene, and 2:1 hexane-toluene. The other four experiments for each lactam compound were carried out using the same second ligand, i.e., (S)—(CF3)3-t-BuPHOX (12.5 mol %), but varying the solvent (0.033 M) between THF, MTBE, toluene, and 2:1 hexane-toluene. Each experiment was carried out at 40° C.

The compounds resulting from the palladium catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reactions of Compounds 1a through 1h, described above, are depicted below as Compounds 2a through 2h, where Compound 2a corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1a, Compound 2b corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1b, Compound 2c corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1c, Compound 2d corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1d, Compound 2e corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1e, Compound 2f corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1f, Compound 2g corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1g, and Compound 2h corresponds to the compound made from the reaction of Compound 1h.

The results of this broad screen were highly encouraging, as shown in FIG. 1 (depicting the enantiomeric excess of the compounds prepared using the lactam reactants (Compounds 1a through 1h) with the various ligands and solvents discussed above). Reactivity across all substrates with either ligand was uniformly good, as all of the compounds were completely converted to the desired product. Strikingly, as the N-substituent group was changed from sulfonyl to carbamoyl to acyl functionalities, the enantioselectivity rose from nearly zero to nearly perfect. There was also a difference between the two ligands, and electron poor (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX was the better choice. As the solvent system became less polar, a distinct increase in enantiomeric excess was observed, however, this effect was substantially less pronounced for reactions employing the electron poor ligand and for reactions varying the N-substituent. Ultimately, with the N-benzoyl group (Bz) on the substrate (i.e., Compound 1h) and (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX as ligand, the reaction produced the lactam of Compound 2h in >96% ee in each of the four solvents.

Given these results, investigation of the reaction scope was performed by exploring a range of substituted N-acyl lactam derivatives. These derivatives are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 a Pd-catalyzed Enantioselective Alkylation

b α-Quaternary δ-Lactams

  2h 85% yield 99% ee

  3 97% yield 99% ee

  4 85% yield 99% ee

  5 92% yield 99% ee

  6 88% yield 99% ee

  7 85% yield 96% ee

  8 78% yield 97% ee

  9 60% yield 95% ee c Other Ring Sizes and Frameworks

  10 90% yield 98% ee

  11 89% yield 93% ee

  12 86% yield 98% ee

  13 83% yield 93% ee

  14 91% yield 99% ee

  15 89% yield 99% ee

  16 81% yield 94% ee

  17 86% yield 96% ee d Other N-acyl Groups

  18 90% yield 88% ee

  19 82% yield 94% ee

  20 86% yield 91% ee

  21 85% yield 99% ee

  22 86% yield 99% ee

  23 82% yield 97% ee Importantly, reproducing the screening reaction on preparative scale furnishes the N-Bz piperidinone of Compound 2h in 85% isolated yield and 99% ee (see box (b) in Table 1 above). Alteration of the C(α)-group to other alkyl and functionalized alkyl units (e.g., —CH₂CH₃ and —CH₂Ph), as well as to moieties possessing additional acidic protons (e.g., —CH₂CH₂CO₂Me and —CH₂CH₂CN) leads to high yields of the lactams of Compounds 3 through 6 (see box b in Table 1 above) in uniformly good enantioenrichment (99% ee). Common silyl protecting groups are tolerated in the transformation and the lactam of Compound 7 is furnished in 85% yield and 96% ee. Substituted allyl groups can be incorporated, however only at C(2), leading to products such as the methallyl lactam of Compound 8 and the chloroallyl lactam of Compound 9 in good yield and enantioselectivity (≥95% ee).

Beyond piperidinones, pyrrolidinones and caprolactams are also good substrate classes, furnishing the heterocycles of Compounds 10 through 13 (see box c of Table 1 above) in good yield and ee. Additionally, the morpholine-derived product of Compound 14, containing a C(α)-tetrasubstituted tertiary center, is produced in 91% yield and 99% ee. C(α)-Fluoro substitution is readily introduced into the 1,3-dicarbonyl starting material and is viable in the enantioselective reaction leading to the fluoropyrrolidinone of Compound 12 (86% yield, 98% ee) and the fluoropiperidinone of Compound 15 (89% yield, 99% ee). Moreover, N-Bz glutarimides serve as good substrates smoothly reacting to provide the cyclic imides of Compounds 16 and 17 in high yield and enantioselectivity. Finally, alteration of the N-Bz group is possible (see box d in Table 1 above), giving lactams with an N-acetyl group (Compound 18), N-carbamates (Compounds 19 and 20), and a variety of N-aroyl derivatives (Compounds 21 through 23).

These screening procedures highlight certain methods according to the present invention. In particular, as can be seen from the screening procedures described above, according to some embodiments of the present invention, modifying the traditional transition metal catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation reaction by using an electron poor ligand yields enantioenriched compounds. As used herein, the term “electron poor” is used in its art-recognized sense, and not as a term of degree or approximation. Indeed, those of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand what is meant by the term “electron poor.” However, in some embodiments, the electron poor ligand may be a (S)-t-BuPHOX in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms on the t-Bu moiety is substituted with a fluorine atom or other electron poor functional group, such as, for example, a partially or fully fluorinated hydrocarbyl or heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a NO₂ group, or a SO₂R group (in which R in SO₂R is any substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl, or functional group). In some embodiments, for example, the t-Bu moiety may be replaced, yielding a R′-PHOX (e.g., a (S)—R′-PHOX) ligand, in which R′ may be a partially or fully fluorinated hydrocarbyl or heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group, a NO₂ group, a SO₂R group (in which R in SO₂R is any substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl, or functional group), or a hydrocarbyl or heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl group in which at least one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by an electron poor group, such as, for example, a fluorine atom, a NO₂ group, or a SO₂R group (in which R in SO₂R is any substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom containing hydrocarbyl, or functional group.

Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention, a method of preparing an enantioenriched heteroatom containing building block compound includes reaction of a heteroatom containing substrate compound with a palladium-based catalyst and an electron poor ligand in the presence of a solvent. The electron poor ligand is as described above, and the palladium catalyst is not particularly limited, and those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to select a suitable catalyst. However, nonlimiting examples of suitable catalysts include Pd₂(dba)₃ and Pd₂(pmdba)₃ (dba=dibenzylidene acetone; pmdba=di(p-methoxybenzylidene) acetone). The solvent is also not particularly limited, and can be any solvent normally used in metal catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation procedures. Some nonlimiting examples of suitable solvents include THF, MTBE, toluene, and hexane:toluene (2:1). Additional ligands, catalysts and solvents useful in the reactions according to embodiments of the present invention, and additional reaction particulars, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,698 to Behenna, et al., the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The enantioenriched products formed by the catalytic asymmetric alkylation chemistry according to embodiments of the present invention can be of broad utility in synthetic chemistry. To illustrate this point, the lactam of Compound 3 can be transformed into the Aspidosperma alkaloid (+)-quebrachamine by modification of a previous route that employed a chiral auxiliary. See Amat, et al., “Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,3-Disubstituted Piperidine Derivatives by Enolate Dialkylation of Phenylglycinol-Derived Oxazolopiperidone Lactams,” J. Org. Chem. 72, 4431-4439 (2007), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, cleavage of the N-Bz group of the lactam of Compound 3 produces the chiral lactam of Compound 24, a compound previously used as a racemate in the synthesis of rhazinilam, a microtubule-disrupting agent that displays similar cellular characteristics to paclitaxel. Edler, et al., “Demonstration of microtubule-like structures formed with (−)-rhazinilam from purified tubulin outside of cells and a simple tubulin-based assay for evaluation of analog activity,” Arch. Biochem. and Biophys. 487, 98-104 (2009); Magnus, et al., “Concise synthesis of (±)-rhazinilam,” Tetrahedron 57, 8647-8651 (2001), the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The below Synthesis Reaction Scheme depicts routes to the (+)-Quebrachamine and (+)-Rhazinilam. Finally, reduction of the lactam of Compound 24 produces the C(3)-quaternary piperidine of Compound 25 and demonstrates access to the corresponding amine building blocks.

In summary, embodiments of the present invention are directed to substrates useful in preparing enantioenriched quaternary N-containing compounds, and other embodiments are directed to the enantioenriched quaternary N-containing compounds. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for the catalytic enantioselective alkylation of nitrogen containing derivatives (e.g., monocyclic 5-, 6-, and 7-membered lactam enolate derivatives) to form quaternary N-containing compounds (e.g., α-quaternary and α-tetrasubstituted tertiary lactams). The reaction discovery process was enabled by parallel screening of reaction parameters and led to the identification of a sterically and electronically tuned system for highly enantioselective alkylation. This method has been applied to the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of key intermediates previously employed for the construction of Aspidosperma alkaloids. Finally, the asymmetric products formed according to embodiments of the present invention are widely useful as building blocks for the preparation of a wide range of nitrogen containing compounds (including heterocycles) prevalent in materials science, medicinal chemistry and natural products.

EXPERIMENTAL

The following examples and experimental procedures are presented for illustrative purposes only, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In the examples below and description throughout, certain terms are used as shorthand. The shorthand terms are known to those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the following Terms Table lists the shorthand used and its corresponding meaning.

Terms Table Shorthand Meaning Ts Tosyl Boc Tert-butyloxy carbonyl group Cbz Carboxy benzyl group Fmoc Fluorenyl methyloxy carbonyl group Ac Acetyl group 4-OMe-Bz 4-methoxy-benzoyl group 4-F-Bz 4-fluoro-benzoyl group Bz Benzoyl group THF Tetrahydrofuran MTBE Methyl tert-butyl ether Tol Toluene Hex:Tol Mixed hexane and toluene Ph Phenyl group OPh (or PhO) Phenyloxy group Materials and Methods

Unless otherwise stated, reactions were performed in flame-dried glassware under an argon or nitrogen atmosphere using dry, deoxygenated solvents. Solvents were dried by passage through an activated alumina column under argon. Brine solutions are saturated aqueous sodium chloride solutions. Tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) (Pd₂(dba)₃) was purchased from Strem and stored in a glove box. Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide was purchased from Aldrich and stored in a glove box. Tris[bis(p-methoxybenzylidene)-acetone]dipalladium(O) (Pd₂(pmdba)₃) was prepared by known methods and stored in a glovebox. See McDougal, et al., “High-throughput screening of the asymmetric decarboxylative alkylation reaction of enolate-stabilized enol carbonates,” Synlett 1712-1716. (2010), the entire content of which has already been incorporated herein by reference. (S)-t-BuPHOX, (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX, and allyl cyanoformate were prepared by known methods. See Helmchen, et al., “Phosphinooxazolines—a new class of versatile, modular P,N-ligands for asymmetric catalysis,” Acc. Chem. Res. 33, 336-345 (2000); Tani, et al., “A facile and modular synthesis of phosphinooxazoline ligands,” Org. Lett. 9, 2529-2531 (2007); McDougal, et al., Rapid synthesis of an electron-deficient t-BuPHOX ligand: cross-coupling of aryl bromides with secondary phosphine oxides,” Tetrahedron Lett. 51, 5550-5554 (2010), the entire contents of all of which have already been incorporated herein by reference.

Selectfluor, methyl iodide, and ethyl iodide were purchased from Aldrich, Acros Organics, Strem, or Alfa Aesar and used as received unless otherwise stated. Sodium hydride (NaH) was purchased as a 60% dispersion in mineral oil from Acros and used as such unless otherwise stated. Triethylamine was distilled from CaH₂ prior to use. Acrolein, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, and benzoyl chloride were distilled prior to use.

Reaction temperatures were controlled by an IKAmag temperature modulator. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed using E. Merck silica gel 60 F254 precoated plates (0.25 mm) and visualized by UV fluorescence quenching, anisaldehyde, KMnO₄, or CAM staining. ICN Silica gel (particle size 0.032-0.063 mm) was used for flash chromatography. Analytical chiral HPLC was performed with an Agilent 1100 Series HPLC utilizing a Chiralpak (AD-H or AS) or Chiralcel (OD-H, OJ-H, or OB-H) columns (4.6 mm×25 cm) obtained from Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. with visualization at 220 or 254 nm. Analytical chiral SFC was performed with a JACSO 2000 series instrument utilizing Chiralpak (AD-H or AS-H) or Chiralcel (OD-H, OJ-H, or OB-H) columns (4.6 mm×25 cm), or a Chiralpak IC column (4.6 mm×10 cm) obtained from Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd with visualization at 210 or 254 nm. Optical rotations were measured with a Jasco P-2000 polarimeter at 589 nm.

¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Inova 500 (at 500 MHz and 126 MHz, respectively) or a Mercury 300 (at 300 MHz and 75 MHz, respectively), and are reported relative to residual protio solvent (CDCl₃=7.26 and 77.0 ppm and C₆D₆=7.16 and 128.0 ppm, respectively). Data for ¹H NMR spectra are reported as follows: chemical shift (6 ppm) (multiplicity, coupling constant (Hz), integration). IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer Paragon 1000 spectrometer and are reported in frequency of absorption (cm⁻¹). High resolution mass spectra were obtained using an Agilent 6200 Series TOF with an Agilent G1978A Multimode source in electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or mixed (MM) ionization mode or from the Caltech Mass Spectral Facility.

Preparation of Substrates for the Ligand, Protecting Group and Solvent Screening The reactions used to probe the ligand, protecting group and solvent effects (discussed above) involved preparing a collection of racemic lactam substrates (i.e., Compounds 1a through 1h satisfying the formula for Compound 1, depicted below) for palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation, and screening these substrates for reactivity and enantioselectivity across an array of solvents employing two chiral ligands, (S)-t-BuPHOX and (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX. For a description of the structure and synthesis of these ligands, see Helmchen, et al., “Phosphinooxazolines—a new class of versatile, modular P,N-ligands for asymmetric catalysis,” Acc. Chem. Res. 33, 336-345 (2000); Tani, et al., “A facile and modular synthesis of phosphinooxazoline ligands,” Org. Lett. 9, 2529-2531 (2007); McDougal, et al., Rapid synthesis of an electron-deficient t-BuPHOX ligand: cross-coupling of aryl bromides with secondary phosphine oxides,” Tetrahedron Lett. 51, 5550-5554 (2010), the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The preparation of these compounds, and the screening reactions performed to make the enantioenriched Compounds 2a through 2h are described here.

Compound 1—Generic Formula for Compounds 1a Through 1h

Some derivatives of Compound 1 (above) were made by a diallyl malonate method, i.e., the method represented by the below Diallyl Malonate Method Reaction Scheme.

In the above Diallyl Malonate Method Reaction Scheme, aldehyde SI2, carbamate SI3, and lactam SI4 were prepared according to the following procedures. Also, although the final reaction depicted in the Diallyl Malonate Method Reaction Scheme describes the reaction used to form Compound 1h, analogous reactions can be used to form Compounds 1a through 1g, as also described below.

Aldehyde SI2:

To a cooled (0° C.) solution of diallyl 2-methylmalonate (SI1)⁵ (17.0 g, 84.7 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and acrolein (6.23 mL, 93.2 mmol, 1.10 equiv) in MeCN (282 mL) was added DBU (253 mL, 1.70 mmol, 0.02 equiv). After 15 min, the reaction mixture was diluted with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (200 mL) and EtOAc (100 mL) and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (3×200 mL) and the combined organic phases were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (8×16 cm SiO₂, 10 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford aldehyde SI2 as a colorless oil (19.7 g, 92% yield). R_(f)=0.32 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.71 (t, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 5.83 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.5, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 5.26 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 2H), 5.19 (dq, J=10.4, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 4.57 (dt, J=5.6, 1.4 Hz, 4H), 2.55-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.10 (m, 2H), 1.41 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 200.6, 171.2, 131.3, 118.5, 65.9, 52.8, 39.2, 27.7, 20.3; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2988, 2945, 1732, 1230, 1186, 1116, 984, 935 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₃H₁₉O₅ [M+H]⁺: 255.1227, found 255.1223.

Carbamate SI3:

To a cooled (0° C.) solution of aldehyde SI2 (19.7 g, 77.5 mmol, 1.00 equiv), BocNH₂ ⁶ (22.7 g, 194 mmol, 2.50 equiv), and Et₃SiH (31.0 mL, 194 mmol, 2.50 equiv) in MeCN (310 mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (12.1 mL, 163 mmol, 2.10 equiv) dropwise over 5 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h and at ambient temperature for an additional 18 h, at which point the reaction mixture was cooled (0° C.), treated with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (150 mL), stirred for 40 min, and concentrated under reduced pressure to remove MeCN (˜250 mL). The remaining material was diluted with Et₂O (200 mL) and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with Et₂O (4×100 mL) and EtOAc (1×150 mL), and the combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×150 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (8×25 cm SiO₂, 5 to 15% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford carbamate SI3 as a colorless oil (23.0 g, 87% yield). R_(f)=0.32 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.88 (ddt, J=17.3, 10.4, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 5.30 (dq, J=17.2, 1.6, 1.5 Hz, 2H), 5.23 (dq, J=10.4, 1.3, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 4.61 (dt, J=5.6, 1.4 Hz, 4H), 4.55 (br s, 1H), 3.12 (q, J=6.7 Hz, 2H), 2.00-1.75 (m, 2H), 1.44 (m, 14H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.6, 155.8, 131.5, 118.4, 79.0, 65.7, 53.4, 40.4, 32.7, 28.3, 24.9, 19.9; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3403, 2977, 2939, 1734, 1517, 1366, 1250, 1173, 985, 934 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₉NO₆Na [M+Na]⁺: 378.1887, found 378.1892.

Lactam SI4:

To a cooled (0° C.) solution of carbamate SI3 (10.4 g, 30.6 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in toluene (306 mL) was added trimethylaluminum (11.7 mL, 61.1 mmol, 2.00 equiv) dropwise over 10 min. After 5 h the reaction was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for an additional 17 h. The reaction was cooled (0° C.), treated with brine (100 mL, CAUTION. Gas evolution and exotherm) in a dropwise manner over 30 min, and stirred until gas evolution ceased. The reaction mixture was then treated with saturated aqueous sodium potassium tartrate (200 mL) and stirred for 4 h. The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (5×150 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (5×16 cm SiO₂, 45 to 65% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford lactam SI4 as a colorless oil (3.99 g, 66% yield). R_(f)=0.41 (100% EtOAc); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.85 (s, 1H), 6.00-5.75 (m, 1H), 5.30 (d, J=17.1 Hz, 1H), 5.20 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H), 4.70-4.50 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.20 (m, 2H), 2.30-2.15 (m, 1H), 1.94-1.59 (m, 3H), 1.48 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.1, 172.0, 131.7, 118.1, 65.7, 50.1, 42.3, 33.0, 22.4, 19.3; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3207, 3083, 2942, 2873, 1737, 1668, 1254, 1194, 1132 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₀H₁₆NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 198.1125, found 198.1117.

As discussed in more detail below with respect to the specific Compounds 1a through 1h, reactions were performed with Compound 1 (33.6 mmol), Pd₂(dba)₃ (5 mol %), and ligand (12.5 mol %) in solvent (1.0 mL) at 40° C. for 72 h (dba=dibenzylideneacetone). In all cases, complete consumption of starting material and product formation was observed by thin layer chromatography on silica gel. Pd₂(pmdba)₃ (5 mol %) was used for Compounds 1a and 1b at 50° C. (pmdba=bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)acetone). Enantiomeric excess (ee) was determined by chiral GC, SFC, or HPLC.

Compound 1h—R is Benzoyl

To a cooled (0° C.) solution of lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv), triethylamine (840 mL, 6.00 mmol, 3.00 equiv), and DMAP (25.0 mg, 205 mmol, 0.102 equiv) in THF (8.00 mL) was added benzoyl chloride (470 mL, 4.00 mmol, 2.00 equiv) dropwise over 5 min. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for 14 h. The reaction mixture was then diluted with brine (10 mL) and EtOAc (10 mL), and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (3×15 mL), and the combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (3×25 cm SiO₂, 15 to 25% Et₂O in hexanes) to afford benzoyl lactam 1h as an amorphous solid (550 mg, 91% yield). R_(f)=0.38 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.78-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.42 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.32 (m, 2H), 5.98 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.40 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.33 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.72 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.93-3.82 (m, 1H), 3.83-3.73 (m, 1H), 2.56-2.43 (m, 1H), 2.13-1.90 (m, 2H), 1.87-1.76 (m, 1H), 1.49 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.9, 172.8, 172.4, 135.9, 131.6, 131.4, 128.0, 127.9, 119.5, 66.5, 52.9, 46.8, 33.8, 22.5, 20.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3063, 2941, 2873, 1735, 1681, 1449, 1276, 1040, 942, 724 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 302.1387, found 302.1388.

Compound 1a—R is Tosyl

Compound 1a was made by the diallyl malonate method described above, except that the final reaction using lactam SI4 was replaced with the following final reaction scheme.

Specifically, to a cooled (−78° C.) solution of LiHMDS (385 mg, 2.30 mmol, 1.15 equiv) in THF (8.0 mL) was added lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv). The reaction mixture warmed to 0° C. and stirred for 30 min, then cooled to −78° C. and treated with TsCl (572 mg, 3.00 mmol, 1.50 equiv). After 5 min, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature for 30 min and treated with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (10 mL). The phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (3×20 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (20 mL) and brine (20 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (3×30 cm SiO₂, 4:1:1 hexanes-EtOAc-DCM) to afford tosyl lactam 1a as a colorless oil (571 mg, 81% yield). R_(f)=0.58 (33% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.93-7.83 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.27 (m, 2H), 5.68 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.5, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.17 (dq, J=9.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (q, J=1.4 Hz, 1H), 4.47 (qdt, J=13.2, 5.6, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 3.98 (ddd, J=12.8, 6.9, 6.1 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (ddt, J=12.4, 6.0, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.34-2.26 (m, 1H), 1.95 (tt, J=6.5, 5.5 Hz, 2H), 1.71 (ddd, J=14.2, 8.1, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 1.41 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.8, 169.9, 144.6, 135.7, 131.1, 129.2, 128.6, 118.7, 66.1, 52.8, 46.4, 32.4, 22.3, 21.6, 20.4; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2942, 1740, 1691, 1353, 1284, 1167, 1090 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₁NO₅SNa [M+Na]⁺: 374.1033, found 374.1042.

Compound 1b—R is BOC (i.e., Tert-Butoxycarbonyl)

Compound 1b was prepared in a manner analogous to the tosyl lactam of Compound 1a, but using lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and Boc₂O (873 mg, 4.00 mmol, 2.00 equiv). Compound 1b (407 mg, 68% yield) was isolated as an amorphous solid by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 9 to 11% Et₂O in hexanes). R_(f)=0.54 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.95-5.81 (m, 1H), 5.33 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.22 (dq, J=10.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.64 (m, 2H), 3.80-3.70 (m, 1H), 3.63-3.49 (m, 1H), 2.43-2.33 (m, 1H), 1.98-1.77 (m, 2H), 1.75-1.66 (m, 1H), 1.52 (s, 9H), 1.50 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 172.5, 170.9, 153.1, 131.5, 118.4, 83.0, 65.9, 53.1, 46.0, 32.6, 28.0, 22.9, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2981, 2939, 1772, 1719, 1457, 1393, 1294, 1282, 1254, 1152, 988, 945, 852 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₂₃NO₅Na [M+Na]⁺: 320.1468, found 320.1470.

Compound 1c—R is CBZ (i.e., Carboxybenzyl)

Compound 1c was prepared in a manner analogous to the tosyl lactam of Compound 1a, but using lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and CbzCl (682 mg, 4.00 mmol, 2.00 equiv). Compound 1c (325 mg, 49% yield) was isolated as a colorless oil by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 14 to 17% Et₂O in hexanes). R_(f)=0.34 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.47-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.39-7.28 (m, 3H), 5.85 (ddt, J=17.1, 10.5, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (dq, J=10.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 5.29 (s, 2H), 5.19 (dq, J=10.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 4.69-4.54 (m, 2H), 3.86-3.79 (m, 1H), 3.71-3.60 (m, 1H), 2.44-2.37 (m, 1H), 1.98-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.73 (ddd, J=14.0, 9.1, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 1.52 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 172.3, 170.9, 154.4, 135.4, 131.3, 128.5, 128.2, 128.0, 118.7, 68.6, 66.1, 53.3, 46.4, 32.5, 22.8, 20.0; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2943, 2876, 1776, 1721, 1456, 1378, 1270, 1191, 1167, 1125, 1002, 941, 739, 698 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₁NO₅Na [M+Na]⁺: 354.1312, found 354.1310.

Compound 1d—R is FMOC (i.e., Fluorenyl Methyloxycarbonyl)

Compound 1d was prepared in a manner analogous to the tosyl lactam of Compound 1a, but using lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and FmocCl (621 mg, 2.40 mmol, 1.20 equiv). Compound 1d (352 mg, 42% yield) was isolated as a colorless oil by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 2 to 12% Et₂O in hexanes). R_(f)=0.28 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.77 (dt, J=7.6, 0.9 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (ddd, J=7.5, 5.0, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.32 (tdd, J=7.4, 4.8, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 5.91 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.5, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.36 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (dq, J=10.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 4.69 (ddt, J=5.6, 2.8, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 4.56-4.43 (m, 2H), 4.33 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 3.86-3.79 (m, 1H), 3.73-3.61 (m, 1H), 2.44 (dddd, J=13.8, 6.8, 5.0, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 2.00-1.83 (m, 2H), 1.78 (ddd, J=14.0, 9.1, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 172.3, 170.9, 154.5, 143.6, 141.2, 131.4, 127.8, 127.1, 125.4, 119.9, 118.7, 69.3, 66.1, 53.4, 46.6, 46.4, 32.6, 22.9, 20.0; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2948, 2892, 1776, 1721, 1451, 1378, 1269, 1191, 997, 759, 742 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₅H₂₅NO₅Na [M+Na]⁺: 442.1625, found 442.1610.

Compound 1e—R is Acetyl

Compound 1e was prepared in a manner analogous to the benzoyl lactam of Compound 1h, but using lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv), acetic anhydride (940 mL, 10.0 mmol, 5.00 equiv), and triethylamine (2.80 mL, 20.0 mmol, 10.0 equiv). Compound 1e (347 mg, 72% yield) was isolated as a colorless oil by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 12 to 25% Et₂O in hexanes). R_(f)=0.44 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.88 (ddt, J=17.1, 10.4, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.31 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (dq, J=10.5, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.66-4.60 (m, 2H), 3.78 (ddd, J=13.1, 7.6, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.71-3.62 (m, 1H), 2.49 (s, 3H), 2.44-2.37 (m, 1H), 1.93-1.77 (m, 2H), 1.78-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.52 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.0, 173.5, 172.4, 131.3, 119.1, 66.2, 53.2, 44.0, 32.9, 27.0, 22.7, 19.9; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2985, 2942, 1739, 1699, 1457, 1368, 1301, 1261, 1190, 1132, 1048, 990, 959, 936 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₂H₁₈NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 240.1230, found 240.1237.

Compound 1f—R is 4-OMe-Bz (i.e., 4-Methoxybenzoyl)

Compound 1f was prepared in a manner analogous to the benzoyl lactam of Compound 1h, but using lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv), 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride (682 mg, 4.00 mmol, 2.00 equiv), and triethylamine (840 mL, 6.00 mmol, 3.00 equiv). Compound 1f (425 mg, 64% yield) was isolated as a colorless oil by flash chromatography (SiO₂, CHCl₃-hexanes-Et₂O 6.5:5:1). R_(f)=0.76 (50% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.81-7.67 (m, 2H), 6.93-6.79 (m, 2H), 6.05-5.88 (m, 1H), 5.39 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.31 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.90-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.76-3.63 (m, 1H), 2.48 (ddd, J=13.7, 5.7, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.06-1.89 (m, 2H), 1.80 (ddd, J=13.5, 10.0, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.49 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.3, 172.6 (2C), 162.7, 131.4, 130.7, 127.7, 119.3, 113.3, 66.3, 55.3, 52.8, 46.9, 33.7, 22.5, 20.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3080, 2941, 1732, 1682, 1604, 1512, 1456, 1390, 1257, 1173, 1139, 1029, 939, 844, 770 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₂NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 332.1492, found 332.1501.

Compound 1g—R is 4-F-Bz (i.e., 4-Fluorobenzoyl)

Compound 1g was prepared in a manner analogous to the benzoyl lactam of Compound 1h, but using lactam SI4 (394 mg, 2.00 mmol, 1.00 equiv), 4-fluorobenzoyl chloride (470 mL, 4.00 mmol, 2.00 equiv), and triethylamine (840 mL, 6.00 mmol, 3.00 equiv). Compound 1g (557 mg, 87% yield) was isolated as an amorphous white solid by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15 to 25% Et₂O in hexanes). R_(f)=0.37 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.84-7.72 (m, 2H), 7.12-6.97 (m, 2H), 5.99 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.41 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.73 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.89-3.82 (m, 1H), 3.81-3.75 (m, 1H), 2.57-2.42 (m, 1H), 2.09-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.89-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.50 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.8, 172.9, 172.5, 164.8 (d, J_(C-F)=252.5 Hz), 131.8 (d, J_(C-F)=3.3 Hz), 131.3, 130.7 (d, J_(C-F)=9.0 Hz), 119.5, 115.2 (d, J_(C-F)=22.0 Hz), 66.5, 52.9, 47.0, 33.8, 22.4, 20.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3079, 2943, 2874, 1734, 1684, 1602, 1508, 1277, 1240, 1193, 1140, 939, 849, 770 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₁₉NO₄F [M+H]⁺: 320.1293, found 320.1297.

General Procedure for Allylic Alkylation Screening Reactions

The substrates described above (i.e., Compounds 1a through 1h) were then subjected to allylic alkylation reactions using different ligands and solvents and the resulting compounds (i.e., Compounds 2a through 2h) were analyzed for enantiomeric excess. The general procedure for these reactions is described here.

All reagents were dispensed as solutions using a Symyx Core Module within a nitrogen-filled glovebox. Oven-dried half-dram vials were charged with a solution of the palladium source (Pd₂dba₃ or Pd₂pmdba₃, 1.68 μmol, 0.05 equiv) in THF (368 μL). The palladium solutions were evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure using a Genevac centrifugal evaporator within the glovebox, and stirbars were added to the vials. The reaction vials were then charged with the desired reaction solvent (500 μL) and a solution of the PHOX ligand (4.20 μmol, 0.125 equiv) in the reaction solvent (250 μL) and stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.). After 30 min, solutions of the lactam substrate (33.6 μmol, 1.0 equiv) in the reaction solvent (250 μL) were added. The reaction vials were tightly capped and heated to the desired temperature. When complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂ (typically less than 72 h), the reaction mixtures were removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, resuspended in an appropriate solvent for analysis (e.g., hexanes), filtered, and analyzed for enantiomeric excess. The methods for determining the enantiomeric excess are reported in Table 4 below.

Results of the Screening of Various Reaction Parameters

The results of the enantiomeric excess analysis (by chiral HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)) of Compounds 2a through 2h (made from Compounds 1a through 1h) over different N-protecting groups and different solvents are reported in the below Table 2.

TABLE 2

% ee THF MTBE Toluene Hex:Tol 2:1 R = Ts^(a)  4.1 25.9  6.5 31.4 35.2 57.2 37.2 44.2 R = Boc^(a) 57.3 74.5 73.6 76.7 70.3 72.1 73.0 71.0 R = Cbz 36.3 75.2 75.1 71.5 79.9 83.5 87.3 83.2 R = Fmoc 45.7 64.9 38.3 44.9 78.9 84.6 87.1 84.6 R = Ac 20.0 64.1 61.6 83.2 75.1  90.6^(b)  90.2^(b)  90.9^(b) R = 4-MeO-Bz 59.5 90.7 87.4 96.8 97.1 98.3 99.0 98.5 R = 4-F-Bz 42.3 85.8 83.2 96.4 95.3 99.0 99.3 99.4 R = Bz 52.2 88.3 85.8 96.4 96.2 99.2 99.0 98.8 ^(a)Reactions for these substrates run at 50° C. ^(b)Reaction performed at 60° C. Characterization Data for New Product Compounds 2a Through 2h

The new compounds 2a through 2h were formed using the reactions below, and characterized. The results of the characterizations are reported in Table 3 below.

Tosyl Lactam 2a

The reaction was performed in MTBE at 40° C. Tosyl lactam 2a was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 3 to 15% Et₂O in hexanes) as a light yellow solid. 90.0% yield. R_(f)=0.29 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.89-7.84 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.27 (m, 2H), 5.41 (dddd, J=16.9, 10.2, 8.1, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 4.99-4.86 (m, 2H), 3.99 (dddd, J=11.9, 5.9, 4.9, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 3.82-3.71 (m, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.41-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.07 (ddt, J=13.6, 8.1, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 1.98-1.83 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.48 (m, 1H), 1.12 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.7, 144.4, 136.2, 132.9, 129.2, 128.5, 118.9, 47.6, 44.2, 44.0, 32.1, 25.5, 21.6, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3074, 2938, 1689, 1597, 1454, 1351, 1283, 1171, 1103, 1089, 1039, 921, 814, 748 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₂₁NO₃SNa [M+Na]⁺: 330.1134, found 330.1141; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −69.2° (c 1.16, CHCl₃, 75% ee).

Boc Lactam 2b

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. Boc lactam 2b was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 8 to 9% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 87.1% yield. R_(f)=0.57 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.74 (dddd, J=17.1, 10.4, 7.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.14-5.02 (m, 2H), 3.71-3.61 (m, 1H), 3.58-3.48 (m, 1H), 2.48 (dd, J=13.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.26 (dd, J=13.6, 7.9 Hz, 1H), 1.87-1.76 (m, 3H), 1.61-1.52 (m, 1H), 1.50 (s, 9H), 1.22 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.1, 153.7, 133.7, 118.5, 82.5, 47.4, 44.5, 44.2, 33.0, 28.0, 25.4, 19.7; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3076, 2978, 2936, 1768, 1715, 1457, 1392, 1368, 1298, 1280, 1252, 1149, 999, 917, 854 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₄H₂₃NO₃Na [M+Na]⁺: 276.1570, found 276.1574; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −73.6° (c 1.025, CHCl₃, 81% ee).

Cbz Lactam 2c

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. Cbz lactam 2c was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 8 to 10% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 84.6% yield. R_(f)=0.49 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.44-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.36 (ddd, J=7.9, 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 7.33-7.29 (m, 1H), 5.74 (dddd, J=16.6, 10.5, 7.8, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (s, 2H), 5.13-5.02 (m, 2H), 3.80-3.72 (m, 1H), 3.67-3.58 (m, 1H), 2.51 (dd, J=13.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.26 (dd, J=13.6, 7.9 Hz, 1H), 1.90-1.77 (m, 3H), 1.62-1.53 (m, 1H), 1.25 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.0, 154.8, 135.6, 133.4, 128.5, 128.2, 128.0, 118.8, 68.3, 47.8, 44.8, 44.2, 32.8, 25.5, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2940, 1772, 1712, 1456, 1377, 1296, 1270, 1218, 1161, 1001, 918 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀NO₃Na [M+Na]⁺: 310.1414, found 310.1414; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −65.8° (c 1.48, CHCl₃, 86% ee).

Fmoc Lactam 2d

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. Fmoc lactam 2d was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 6 to 8% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 82.4% yield. R_(f)=0.45 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.77 (dt, J=7.6, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (ddd, J=7.5, 3.6, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 7.41 (tt, J=7.5, 0.9 Hz, 2H), 7.33 (ddt, J=7.5, 2.0, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 5.80 (dddd, J=17.9, 8.7, 7.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 5.18-5.10 (m, 2H), 4.53-4.42 (m, 2H), 4.33 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.80-3.71 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.57 (m, 1H), 2.58 (dd, J=13.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.32 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 1.93-1.79 (m, 3H), 1.64-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.31 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.0, 154.9, 143.7, 141.2, 133.5, 127.7, 127.1, 125.4, 119.9, 118.8, 68.9, 47.7, 46.7, 44.8, 44.2, 32.8, 25.5, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3067, 2945, 1770, 1712, 1478, 1451, 1377, 1297, 1269, 1161, 1000, 759, 740 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₄H₂₆NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 376.1907, found 376.1914; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −38.5° (c 2.17, CHCl₃, 89% ee).

Acetyl Lactam 2e

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. Acetyl lactam 2e was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 8 to 10% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 47.2% yield. R_(f)=0.38 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.73 (dddd, J=16.6, 10.4, 7.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.14-5.04 (m, 2H), 3.82-3.72 (m, 1H), 3.60-3.49 (m, 1H), 2.50 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 2.25 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 1.91-1.71 (m, 3H), 1.64-1.52 (m, 1H), 1.25 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 179.3, 174.4, 133.3, 118.9, 45.4, 44.8, 44.4, 32.8, 27.2, 25.7, 19.4; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2941, 1694, 1387, 1367, 1293, 1248, 1177, 1114, 1046, 920 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₁H₁₈NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 196.1332, found 196.1329; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −100.9° (c 0.99, CHCl₃, 91% ee).

4-Methoxybenzoyl Lactam 2f

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. 4-Methoxybenzoyl lactam 2f was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 92.7% yield. R_(f)=0.36 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.60-7.48 (m, 2H), 6.92-6.82 (m, 2H), 5.76 (dddd, J=17.2, 10.3, 7.7, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.19-5.03 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.80 (ddd, J=12.1, 5.3, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 3.73-3.64 (m, 1H), 2.57 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.29 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.05-1.91 (m, 3H), 1.72-1.63 (m, 1H), 1.32 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 179.0, 174.9, 162.4, 133.4, 130.1, 128.4, 118.9, 113.5, 55.4, 47.3, 43.9, 43.4, 33.3, 25.3, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2937, 1675, 1604, 1511, 1254, 1164, 1029, 922, 840, 770 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₂NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 288.1594, found 288.1595; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −94.2° (c 1.00, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

4-Fluorobenzoyl Lactam 2g

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. 4-Fluorobenzoyl lactam 2g was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 9% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 89.4% yield. R_(f)=0.41 (17% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.59-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.12-6.99 (m, 2H), 5.74 (ddt, J=17.0, 10.4, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.18-5.05 (m, 2H), 3.89-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.77-3.63 (m, 1H), 2.55 (dd, J=13.7, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.28 (dd, J=13.7, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 2.07-1.88 (m, 3H), 1.76-1.62 (m, 1H), 1.31 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 179.1, 174.2, 164.6 (d, J_(C-F)=252.4 Hz), 133.2, 132.5 (d, J_(C-F)=3.4 Hz), 123.0 (d, J_(C-F)=8.9 Hz), 119.1, 115.3 (d, J_(C-F)=22.1 Hz), 47.3, 44.0, 43.3, 33.3, 25.2, 19.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3076, 2940, 1679, 1602, 1507, 1384, 1280, 1145, 922, 844, 769 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₉NO₂F [M+H]⁺: 276.1394, found 276.1392; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −85.5° (c 1.02, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 2h

The reaction was performed in toluene at 40° C. Benzoyl lactam 2h was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 9% Et₂O in pentane) as a colorless oil. 84.7% yield. R_(f)=0.55 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.54-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.35 (m, 2H), 5.75 (dddd, J=17.1, 10.2, 7.7, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.19-5.03 (m, 2H), 3.92-3.78 (m, 1H), 3.72 (ddt, J=12.6, 6.4, 6.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.55 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.29 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.07-1.87 (m, 3H), 1.75-1.60 (m, 1H), 1.31 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 179.0, 175.3, 136.5, 133.3, 131.3, 128.1, 127.4, 118.9, 47.1, 44.0, 43.3, 33.3, 25.1, 19.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3074, 2939, 2870, 1683, 1478, 1449, 1386, 1282, 1151, 919, 726, 695 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₂₀NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 258.1489, found 258.1491; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −91.2° (c 1.07, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

TABLE 3

entry temperature (° C.) concentration (M) time (h) % ee 1 40 0.033 43 99.2 2 45 0.033 22 98.9 3 50 0.033 12 98.7 4 55 0.033  6 98.2 5 40 0.10  43 98.9 6 40 0.20  43 97.4 Preparation of Substrates for the Creation of N-Acyl Lactam Derivatives

The N-acyl lactam derivatives discussed above and depicted in Table 1, above, were prepared using substrates prepared according to an Acylation and Alkylation Method. A representative reaction scheme for the acylation and alkylation method is depicted in the below Acylation and Alkylation Method Reaction Scheme.

Acylation and Alkylation Method Reaction Scheme

In the above Acylation and Alkylation Method Reaction Scheme, acyl lactam SI6 and benzoyl lactam SI6 were prepared according to the following procedures. Also, although the final reaction depicted in the Acylation and Alkylation Method Reaction Scheme describes the reaction used to form benzoyl lactam SI7, analogous reactions can be used to form substrates for certain of the remaining compounds depicted in Table 1 above. as also described below. Additionally, some of the substrates were formed using the diallyl malonate method described above, as described below.

Acyl Lactam SI6:

To a cooled (0° C.) solution of diisopropylamine (3.33 mL, 23.6 mmol, 1.20 equiv) in THF (131 mL) was added a solution of n-BuLi (8.84 mL, 21.7 mmol, 2.45 M in hexanes, 1.10 equiv) dropwise over 10 min. After 30 min at 0° C., the reaction mixture was cooled to −78° C. A solution of benzoyl lactam SI5⁷ (4.00 g, 19.7 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in THF (25 mL) was added dropwise over 10 min. After an additional 2 h, the reaction mixture was warmed to −30° C. for 1 h, cooled to −78° C., and treated with allyl cyanoformate (2.41 g, 21.7 mmol, 1.10 equiv). The reaction mixture was maintained at −78° C. for 2 h, allowed to warm to ambient temperature with stirring over 14 h, and diluted with half-saturated brine (100 mL) and EtOAc (100 mL). The phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (4×100 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (5×30 cm SiO₂, 15 to 30% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford acyl lactam SI6 as a colorless oil (4.18 g, 74% yield). R_(f)=0.43 (35% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.75-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.33 (m, 2H), 5.95 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.37 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.29 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.75-4.60 (m, 2H), 3.95-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.59 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.42-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.26-2.14 (m, 1H), 2.12-2.03 (m, 1H), 2.01-1.89 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.5, 169.5, 169.2, 135.4, 131.9, 131.4, 128.2, 128.1, 119.3, 66.4, 51.1, 46.3, 25.5, 20.7; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3063, 2952, 1738, 1682, 1449, 1284, 1152, 730, 700 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₈NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 288.1230, found 288.1221.

Benzoyl Lactam SI7:

To a mixture of acyl lactam SI6 (750 mg, 2.61 mmol, 1.00 equiv) K₂CO₃ (1.80 g, 13.1 mmol, 5.00 equiv) in acetone (10.5 mL) was added acrylonitrile (344 μL, 5.22 mmol, 2.00 equiv). The reaction mixture was heated (55° C.) for 6 h, then cooled to ambient temperature and filtered. The retentate was washed with acetone (2×10 mL). The combined organic phases were concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (3×30 cm SiO₂, 5 to 30% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford benzoyl lactam SI7 as a colorless oil (654 mg, 74% yield). R_(f)=0.23 (20% EtOAc in hexanes developed twice); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.77-7.66 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.45 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 2H), 6.00 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.3, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 5.44 (dq, J=17.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (dq, J=10.3, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (ddt, J=6.1, 3.1, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 3.85 (ddd, J=13.0, 9.6, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (ddt, J=13.0, 4.9, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.61 (ddd, J=17.0, 8.4, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 2.53-2.35 (m, 2H), 2.22 (ddd, J=8.8, 6.7, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.12-1.95 (m, 2H), 1.89 (ddd, J=13.6, 10.1, 5.3 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.6, 171.2, 170.6, 135.4, 132.0, 130.8, 128.2, 128.1, 120.5, 119.1, 67.0, 55.4, 46.4, 31.7, 31.5, 20.0, 13.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3067, 2952, 2248, 1733, 1683, 1449, 1271, 1196, 1175, 1152, 943, 725 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₄ [M+H]⁺: 341.1496, found 341.1492.

Benzoyl Lactam SI8

Benzoyl lactam SI8 was prepared by the diallyl malonate method using diallyl 2-ethylmalonate as a starting material. Benzoyl lactam SI8 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15 to 25% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.38 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.72-7.67 (m, 2H), 7.51-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=8.3, 7.1 Hz, 2H), 5.99 (ddt, J=17.3, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.40 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.33 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.73 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.93-3.63 (m, 2H), 2.43 (ddt, J=13.7, 4.4, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.17-1.65 (m, 5H), 0.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.0, 172.0, 171.8, 135.9, 131.6, 131.4, 128.0 (2C), 119.5, 66.4, 56.9, 46.4, 29.8, 28.6, 20.3, 9.0; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3062, 2943, 2882, 1732, 1678, 1449, 1385, 1268, 1188, 1137, 980, 937, 723, 693, 660 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₂NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 316.1543, found 316.1545.

Benzoyl Lactam SI9

Benzoyl lactam SI9 was prepared by the diallyl malonate method using diallyl 2-benzylmalonate as a starting material. Benzoyl lactam SI9 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15 to 35% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.32 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.72 (dt, J=8.2, 0.9 Hz, 2H), 7.56-7.45 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.30-7.18 (m, 3H), 7.17-7.10 (m, 2H), 6.00 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.43 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.36 (dq, J=10.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (dq, J=6.1, 1.1 Hz, 2H), 3.70 (dddd, J=12.9, 5.0, 4.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.59 (ddd, J=12.9, 10.5, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.47 (d, J=13.7 Hz, 1H), 3.14 (d, J=13.7 Hz, 1H), 2.36 (ddt, J=13.7, 4.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 2.07-1.92 (m, 1H), 1.91-1.75 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.0, 171.5, 171.3, 135.9, 135.7, 131.8, 131.2, 130.9, 128.3, 128.2, 128.0, 127.0, 119.8, 66.7, 57.8, 46.2, 40.6, 29.8, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3062, 3029, 2941, 2890, 1731, 1701, 1682, 1449, 1273, 1190, 1147, 934, 723, 702, 661 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₃H₂₄NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 378.1700, found 378.1706.

Benzoyl Lactam SI10

Benzoyl lactam SI10 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using methyl acrylate as an alkylating reagent. Benzoyl lactam SI10 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 40 to 50% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.28 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.78-7.66 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.42 (m, 1H), 7.38 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 6.04-5.93 (m, 1H), 5.41 (dq, J=17.1, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (dt, J=10.4, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.79-4.68 (m, 2H), 3.88-3.79 (m, 1H), 3.79-3.72 (m, 1H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 2.56-2.41 (m, 2H), 2.40-2.28 (m, 1H), 2.27-2.18 (m, 2H), 2.08-1.92 (m, 2H), 1.85 (ddd, J=15.2, 9.8, 5.7 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.8, 173.1, 171.6, 171.3, 135.7, 131.7, 131.1, 128.0 (2C), 119.9, 66.6, 55.8, 51.7, 46.4, 31.0, 30.5, 29.7, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2952, 1735, 1685, 1449, 1273, 1194, 1174, 726 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₀H₂₄NO₆ [M+H]⁺: 374.1598, found 374.1592.

Benzoyl Lactam SI11

Benzoyl lactam SI11 was prepared the acylation and alkylation method, above, using (2-bromoethoxy)-tert-butyldimethylsilane as an alkylating reagent. Benzoyl lactam SI11 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 40% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.18 (10% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.74-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.42 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.30 (m, 2H), 5.98 (ddt, J=17.1, 10.4, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.40 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.33 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.72 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.80 (ddt, J=6.4, 4.8, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 3.72 (td, J=6.4, 0.8 Hz, 2H), 2.55-2.31 (m, 1H), 2.23 (dt, J=14.1, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 2.16-2.03 (m, 2H), 2.02-1.92 (m, 2H), 0.86 (s, 9H), 0.01 (s, 3H), 0.00 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.0, 171.7 (2C), 136.0, 131.6, 131.4, 128.0 (2C), 119.6, 66.5, 59.5, 55.3, 46.4, 37.8, 30.6, 25.9, 20.3, 18.2, −5.45, −5.47; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2954, 2929, 2884, 2856, 1735, 1703, 1683, 1276, 1255, 1143, 1092, 836 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₄H₃₆NO₅Si [M+H]⁺: 446.2357, found 446.2361.

Benzoyl Lactam SI12

Benzoyl lactam SI12 was prepared by the diallyl malonate using dimethallyl malonate as a starting material. Benzoyl lactam SI12 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 14 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as an amorphous white solid. R_(f)=0.47 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR δ 7.73-7.68 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.37 (ddd, J=8.1, 6.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 5.05 (s, 1H), 5.01 (s, 1H), 4.65 (dd, J=17.5, 10.0 Hz, 2H), 3.87 (ddd, J=12.9, 8.8, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (ddt, J=12.9, 5.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.55-2.46 (m, 1H), 2.08-1.95 (m, 2H), 1.86-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.79 (s, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.9, 172.8, 172.5, 139.3, 135.9, 131.6, 128.0 (2C), 114.2, 69.1, 53.0, 46.8, 33.8, 22.5, 20.3, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2941, 2873, 1735, 1682, 1449, 1276, 1192, 1140, 940, 724, 694, 659 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₁NO₄Na [M+Na]⁺: 338.1363, found 338.1373.

Benzoyl Lactam SI13

Benzoyl lactam SI13 was prepared by the diallyl malonate method using di-2-chloroallyl malonate as a starting material. Benzoyl lactam SI13 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 14 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.47 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.76-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.41 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.31 (m, 2H), 5.54 (dt, J=2.0, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 5.48 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (qd, J=13.4, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 3.89 (ddd, J=12.9, 8.9, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (ddt, J=13.0, 5.3, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (dddd, J=13.8, 5.6, 4.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.11-1.94 (m, 2H), 1.85 (ddd, J=13.8, 10.2, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 1.53 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.9, 172.5, 172.1, 135.8, 135.3, 131.7, 128.1, 128.0, 116.4, 67.1, 52.9, 46.7, 33.7, 22.5, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2943, 2873, 1740, 1682, 1449, 1390, 1276, 1192, 1124, 1061, 943, 724, 695 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₁₈NO₄ClNa [M+Na]⁺: 358.0817 found 358.0819.

Benzoyl Lactam SI14

Benzoyl lactam SI14 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using N-benzoyl pyrrolidinone as a starting material and methyl iodide as an alkylating reagent. See Amat, et al., “Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,3-Disubstituted Piperidine Derivatives by Enolate Dialkylation of Phenylglycinol-derived Oxazolopiperidone Lactams,” J. Org. Chem. 72, 4431-4439 (2007), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl lactam SI14 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.45 (35% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.64-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.46 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.35 (m, 2H), 5.92 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.5, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.28 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.67 (dt, J=5.7, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 4.02 (ddd, J=11.3, 8.4, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.95 (dt, J=11.3, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 2.64 (ddd, J=13.2, 7.7, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.06 (ddd, J=13.2, 8.5, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 1.51 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.0, 170.9, 170.5, 133.9, 132.0, 131.2, 128.8, 127.8, 119.0, 66.4, 53.8, 43.3, 30.5, 20.0; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2985, 2938, 1750, 1738, 1733, 1683, 1449, 1362, 1307, 1247, 1196, 1136, 972, 937, 860, 730, 699, 656 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₈NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 288.1230, found 288.1228.

Benzoyl Lactam SI15

Benzoyl lactam SI15 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using N-benzoyl pyrrolidinone as a starting material and 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl bromide as an alkylating reagent. See Enders, et al., “Asymmetric Electrophilic Substitutions at the α-Position of γ- and δ-Lactams,” Eur. J. Org. Chem. 4463-4477 (2011), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl lactam SI15 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.28 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.58 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.56-7.49 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 5.92 (ddt, J=17.3, 10.4, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 5.36 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (dq, J=10.5, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.70 (dq, J=5.8, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 3.84 (ddd, J=11.2, 8.6, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.66 (ddd, J=11.2, 8.8, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (d, J=14.0 Hz, 1H), 3.31 (d, J=13.9 Hz, 1H), 2.51 (ddd, J=13.3, 7.6, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.15 (dt, J=13.3, 8.7 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.3, 170.2, 169.8, 139.7 (d, J_(C-F)=1.5 Hz), 133.7, 132.3, 131.0, 130.9, 129.8 (q, J_(C-F)=32.5 Hz), 128.9, 127.9, 125.5 (q, J_(C-F)=3.8 Hz), 124.0 (q, J_(C-F)=272.0 Hz), 119.5, 66.8, 59.0, 43.6, 38.4, 26.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3062, 2938, 2913, 1751, 1733, 1683, 1449, 1366, 1326, 1294, 1250, 1193, 1165, 1116, 1068, 861, 728 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₃H₂₁NO₄F₃ [M+H]⁺: 432.1417, found 432.1425.

Benzoyl Lactam SI16

Benzoyl Lactam SI16 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using N-benzoyl pyrrolidinone as a starting material and using Selectfluor as a fluorinating agent. See Enders, et al., “Asymmetric Electrophilic Substitutions at the α-Position of γ- and δ-Lactams,” Eur. J. Org. Chem. 4463-4477 (2011); Trost, et al., “Asymmetric syntheses of oxindole and indole spirocyclic alkaloid natural products,” Synthesis 3003-3025 (2009), the entire contents of both which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl lactam SI16 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.28 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.66-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.59-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.46-7.37 (m, 2H), 5.92 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (dq, J=10.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (dt, J=5.9, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 4.15 (ddd, J=11.2, 8.8, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 4.01 (dddd, J=11.3, 7.7, 7.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 2.80 (dddd, J=14.1, 13.4, 7.8, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 2.53 (dddd, J=23.0, 14.2, 8.8, 7.1 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 169.8, 166.0 (d, J=10.2 Hz), 165.8 (d, J=5.5 Hz), 132.9, 132.7, 130.4, 129.0, 128.0, 120.0, 94.4 (d, J=203.6 Hz), 67.2, 42.3 (d, J=2.9 Hz), 29.0 (d, J=21.7 Hz); IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3062, 2987, 2917, 1773, 1690, 1449, 1373, 1290, 1257, 1198, 1161, 1118, 1076, 983, 942, 859, 796, 731 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₉NO₅F [M+MeOH+H]⁺: 324.1242, found 324.1244.

4-Methoxybenzoyl Lactam SI17

4-Methoxy benzoyl lactam SI17 was prepared by a combination of known methods and the diallyl malonate method. See Badillo, et al., “Enantioselective synthesis of oxindoles and spirooxindoles with applications in drug discovery,” Curr. Opin. Drug Disc. Dev. 13, 758-776 (2010), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl lactam SI17 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15 to 25% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.38 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.79-7.68 (m, 2H), 6.94-6.80 (m, 2H), 5.99 (ddt, J=17.1, 10.4, 6.1 Hz, 1H), 5.43 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (dq, J=10.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (dt, J=6.1, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 4.28-4.16 (m, 1H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 3.15 (ddd, J=15.6, 11.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.28-2.17 (m, 1H), 2.01-1.87 (m, 2H), 1.87-1.76 (m, 1H), 1.63 (ddd, J=14.8, 11.8, 3.7 Hz, 2H), 1.48 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.1, 174.6, 172.8, 162.6, 131.3, 130.7, 128.2, 119.9, 113.5, 66.2, 55.3, 54.9, 44.6, 34.3, 28.1, 26.9, 24.9; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2939, 1679, 1604, 1512, 1456, 1281, 1256, 1169, 1139, 1054, 961 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₉H₂₄NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 346.1649, found 346.1642.

Benzoyl Lactam SI18

Benzoyl lactam SI8 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using 3-morpholinone as a starting material and methyl iodide as an alkylating reagent. See Zhou, et al., “Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of oxindoles bearing a tetrasubstituted stereocenter at the C-3 position,” Adv. Synth. Catal. 1381-1407 (2010), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl lactam SI18 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 15% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.40 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.70-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.46-7.33 (m, 2H), 5.98 (ddt, J=17.1, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.41 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (dq, J=10.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 4.24 (ddd, J=12.4, 10.1, 3.2 Hz, 1H), 4.12 (ddd, J=12.4, 4.1, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (ddd, J=13.2, 10.1, 4.1 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (dt, J=13.2, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 1.68 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.0, 169.0 (2C), 134.9, 132.2, 131.0, 128.3, 128.1, 119.8, 81.5, 66.8, 61.6, 45.3, 22.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2943, 2892, 1749, 1689, 1149, 1375, 1311, 1281, 1246, 1124, 1080, 938, 727 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₈NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 304.1179, found 304.1171.

Benzoyl Lactam SI19

Benzoyl lactam SI19 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using Selectfluor as a fluorinating agent. See Amat, et al., “Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,3-Disubstituted Piperidine Derivatives by Enolate Dialkylation of Phenylglycinol-derived Oxazolopiperidone Lactams,” J. Org. Chem. 72, 4431-4439 (2007), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl lactam SI19 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20 to 35% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.57 (35% Et₂O in hexanes developed three times); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.69-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.53-7.45 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.34 (m, 2H), 5.94 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.39 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.31 (dq, J=10.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (dt, J=6.0, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.98 (dddd, J=12.9, 6.0, 4.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (dddd, J=14.8, 8.8, 4.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 2.62-2.45 (m, 1H), 2.45-2.30 (m, 1H), 2.25-2.05 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.8, 166.7 (d, J=26.0 Hz), 166.3 (d, J=23.5 Hz), 134.3, 132.3, 130.6, 128.3, 128.2, 119.9, 92.4 (d, J=194.8 Hz), 67.1, 46.2, 31.9 (d, J=22.4 Hz), 18.6 (d, J=4.0 Hz); IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3064, 2956, 1768, 1711, 1691, 1450, 1396, 1304, 1271, 1190, 1137, 1102, 994, 944, 912, 726, 694, 658 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₇NO₄F [M+H]⁺: 306.1136, found 306.1131.

Benzoyl Glutarimide SI20

Benzoyl glutarimide SI20 was prepared from glutarimide by a combination of known methods and diallyl malonate method. See Badillo, et al., “Enantioselective synthesis of oxindoles and spirooxindoles with applications in drug discovery,” Curr. Opin. Drug Disc. Dev. 13, 758-776 (2010), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl glutarimide SI20 (32 mg, 72% yield) was isolated as a colorless oil by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 17 to 25% EtOAc in hexanes). R_(f)=0.18 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.99 (d, J=8.22 Hz, 2H), 7.62 (t, J=7.46 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=8.22, 7.46 Hz, 2H), 5.93 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.39 (dq, J=17.2, 1.20 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (dq, J=10.4, 1.20 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (ddt, J=12.9, 6.0, 1.20 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (ddt, J=12.9, 6.0, 1.20 Hz, 1H), 2.81-2.70 (m, 2H), 2.40 (ddd, J=14.2, 5.13, 3.56 Hz, 1H), 2.10 (ddd, J=14.2, 11.7, 6.36 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.1, 170.8, 170.7, 170.4, 134.9, 131.6, 130.8, 130.3, 129.0, 120.0, 66.9, 51.0, 30.0, 29.1, 20.8; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3070, 2943, 2878, 1755, 1716, 1689, 1450, 1240, 1179, 975, 781 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₁₈NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 316.1179, found 316.1192.

Benzoyl Glutarimide SI21

Benzoyl glutarimide SI121 was prepared from glutarimide by a combination of known methods and the diallyl malonate method. See Badillo, et al., “Enantioselective synthesis of oxindoles and spirooxindoles with applications in drug discovery,” Curr. Opin. Drug Disc. Dev. 13, 758-776 (2010), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Benzoyl glutarimide SI21 (67 mg, 85% yield) was isolated as a colorless oil by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 17 to 25% EtOAc in hexanes). R_(f)=0.24 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.95 (d, J=8.28 Hz, 2H), 7.62 (t, J=7.46 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=8.28, 7.46 Hz, 2H), 5.93 (ddt, J=17.0, 10.4, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.39 (dq, J=17.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (ddt, J=12.9, 6.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.74 (ddt, J=12.9, 6.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.84-2.72 (m, 2H), 2.34 (ddd, J=14.1, 5.2, 3.28 Hz, 1H), 2.19 (ddd, J=14.1, 12.2, 5.88 Hz, 1H), 2.15-2.02 (m, 2H), 1.01 (t, J=7.44 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.1, 170.4, 170.2, 170.1, 134.9, 131.6, 130.8, 130.3, 129.0, 120.0, 66.8, 55.1, 29.9, 27.6, 25.6, 8.9; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3068, 2975, 2884, 1755, 1716, 1694, 1450, 1270, 1180, 950, 779 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₀NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 330.1336, found 330.1334.

Acetyl Lactam SI22

Acetyl lactam SI22 was prepared the diallyl malonate method using diallyl 2-benzylmalonate as a starting material and acetic anhydride as an acetylating reagent. Acetyl lactam SI22 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.46 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.30-7.20 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.14 (m, 2H), 5.88 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 5.33 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.65 (dq, J=5.8, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 3.73-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.53 (d, J=13.6 Hz, 1H), 3.35 (ddd, J=13.8, 9.1, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 3.16 (d, J=13.6 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 2.29-2.19 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.71 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.56 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.9, 172.3, 171.6, 135.8, 131.2, 130.6, 128.3, 127.1, 119.3, 66.4, 58.1, 43.6, 41.2, 29.4, 27.2, 19.8; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3063, 3029, 2942, 1733, 1699, 1496, 1455, 1368, 1296, 1234, 1177, 1116, 1034, 992, 975, 934, 746, 703 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₂NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 316.1543, found 316.1541.

Phenyl Carbamate Lactam SI23

Phenyl carbamate lactam SI23 was prepared in a manner analogous to the tosyl lactam of Compound 1a using lactam SI4 and phenyl chloroformate. Phenyl carbamate lactam SI23 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.42 (50% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.40-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.21 (m, 1H), 7.20-7.16 (m, 2H), 5.91 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.36 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (dq, J=10.5, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 4.77-4.59 (m, 2H), 3.90 (ddd, J=12.9, 7.6, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.85-3.74 (m, 1H), 2.47 (dddd, J=13.8, 6.2, 5.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.06-1.86 (m, 2H), 1.80 (ddd, J=14.2, 9.3, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.56 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 172.1, 171.2, 153.3, 150.8, 131.3, 129.4, 126.0, 121.4, 118.8, 66.2, 53.4, 46.8, 32.7, 22.7, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2943, 1786, 1732, 1494, 1457, 1297, 1267, 1204, 1161, 1134, 982, 943, 752, 689, 665 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 318.1336, found 318.1332.

Benzyl Carbamate Lactam SI24

Benzyl carbamate lactam SI24 was prepared by the acylation and alkylation method using N-benzyloxycarbonylpyrrolidin-2-one as a starting material and methyl iodide as an alkylating reagent. See Ohmatsu, et al., “Chiral 1,2,3-triazoliums as New Cationic Organic Catalysts with Anion-Recognition Ability: Application to Asymmetric Alkylation of Oxindoles,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133, 1307-1309 (2011), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Cbz lactam SI24 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 15% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.40 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.46-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.28 (m, 3H), 5.87 (ddt, J=17.1, 10.4, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H) 5.30 (s, 2H), 5.23 (dq, J=10.5, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.69-4.55 (m, 2H), 3.82 (ddq, J=10.7, 8.4, 5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.54 (ddd, J=13.1, 7.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 1.93 (dt, J=13.2, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 1.50 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.9, 170.7, 151.4, 135.1, 131.3, 128.6, 128.4, 128.1, 118.8, 68.3, 66.3, 53.3, 43.7, 30.5, 20.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2984, 2939, 1793, 1758, 1725, 1456, 1383, 1300, 1202, 1138, 1009, 983, 774, 739, 698 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀NO₅ [M+H]⁺: 318.1336, found 318.1136.

4-Phenylbenzoyl Lactam SI25

4-phenylbenzoyl lactam SI25 was prepared the diallyl malonate method using lactam SI4 and 4-phenylbenzoyl chloride. 4-Phenylbenzoyl lactam SI25 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 15% EtOAc in hexanes) as an off-white solid. R_(f)=0.27 (20% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 2H), 7.65-7.54 (m, 4H), 7.49-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.34 (m, 1H), 6.00 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.41 (dq, J=17.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (dq, J=10.4, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (dt, J=5.9, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.95-3.84 (m, 1H), 3.81 (ddt, J=12.9, 5.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (dddd, J=13.8, 5.7, 4.3, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 2.10-1.94 (m, 2H), 1.90-1.76 (m, 1H), 1.52 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.7, 172.9, 172.5, 144.5, 140.3, 134.5, 131.4, 128.8, 128.7, 127.8, 127.3, 126.8, 119.5, 66.5, 52.9, 46.89, 33.8, 22.5, 20.3; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3030, 2942, 2874, 1733, 1679, 1607, 1486, 1449, 1389, 1278, 1191, 1139, 939, 749, 698 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₃H₂₄NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 378.1700, found 378.1708.

1-Naphthoyl Lactam SI26

1-naphthoyl lactam SI26 was prepared by the diallyl malonate method using lactam SI4 and 1-naphthoyl chloride. 1-Naphthoyl lactam SI26 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.50 (35% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.07-8.01 (m, 1H), 7.90 (dd, J=8.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.88-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.57-7.47 (m, 3H), 7.42 (td, J=7.6, 7.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 5.99-5.86 (m, 1H), 5.35 (dq, J=17.3, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (dq, J=10.6, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.66 (ddt, J=5.4, 4.2, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 4.13-3.91 (m, 2H), 2.49 (ddd, J=13.6, 6.1, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.14-1.97 (m, 2H), 1.83 (ddd, J=14.3, 9.9, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 1.42 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 173.8, 172.4, 172.1, 134.9, 133.6, 131.3, 130.3, 129.8, 128.4, 127.0, 126.1, 124.9, 124.4, 123.9, 119.3, 66.3, 52.9, 45.7, 33.4, 22.4, 20.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3050, 2984, 2942, 1737, 1704, 1682, 1509, 1456, 1387, 1290, 1254, 1194, 1144, 1130, 935, 806, 783 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₁H₂₂NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 352.1543, found 352.1542.

2-Naphthoyl Lactam SI27

2-naphthoyl lactam SI27 was prepared by the diallyl malonate method using lactam SI4 and 2-naphthoyl chloride. 2-Naphthoyl lactam SI27 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20 to 33% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.25 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.30 (t, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (dd, J=8.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.85-7.79 (m, 2H), 7.76 (dd, J=8.6, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (ddd, J=8.1, 6.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (ddd, J=8.1, 6.9, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.01 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.4, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 5.42 (dq, J=17.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (dq, J=10.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (dt, J=5.9, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.93 (ddd, J=12.8, 8.9, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.85 (ddt, J=12.9, 5.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (dddd, J=13.8, 5.6, 4.2, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.12-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.84 (ddd, J=13.7, 10.2, 4.7 Hz, 1H), 1.51 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.9, 172.8, 172.5, 134.8, 133.2, 132.5, 131.4, 129.2, 129.0, 127.7 (2C), 127.6, 126.3, 124.4, 119.4, 66.4, 52.9, 46.8, 33.7, 22.4, 20.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3059, 2941, 2873, 1730, 1680, 1456, 1385, 1285, 1234, 1186, 1131, 936, 778, 762 cm 1; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₁H₂₂NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 352.1543, found 352.1530.

General Procedure for Preparative Allylic Alkylation Reactions to Form N-Acyl Lactam Derivatives

The N-acyl lactam substrates described above were subjected to allylic alkylation reactions to form N-acyl lactam derivative building block compounds. The general procedure for these reactions is described here.

In a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 20 mL vial was charged with Pd₂pmdba₃ (27.4 mg, 0.025 mmol, 0.05 equiv) or Pd₂dba₃ (22.9 mg, 0.025 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-BuPHOX (37.0 mg, 0.0625 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (15 mL or 13 mL if the substrate is an oil), and a magnetic stir bar. See Franckevicius, et al., “Asymmetric Decarboxylative Alkylation of Oxindoles,” Org. Lett. 13, 4264-4267 (2011), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and the substrate (0.50 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added either as a solid or as a solution of an oil dissolved in toluene (2 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. When complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂, the reaction mixtures were removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by flash chromatography to afford the desired alkylated product.

Characterization Data for the N-Acyl Lactam Derivative Building Blocks

The N-acyl lactam Derivatives were isolated as described below and characterized. The characterization data is reported below.

Benzoyl Lactam 3

See Jakubec, et al., “Cyclic Imine Nitro-Mannich/Lactamization Cascades: A Direct Stereoselective Synthesis of Multicyclic Piperidinone Derivatives,” Org. Lett. 10, 4267-4270 (2008), the entire content of which is incorporated by reference. Benzoyl lactam 3 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 97.2% yield. R_(f)=0.39 (20% Et₂O in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.53-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.34 (m, 2H), 5.74 (dddd, J=16.7, 10.4, 7.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.19-5.02 (m, 2H), 3.84-3.70 (m, 2H), 2.51 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.0, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.28 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.6, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.06-1.91 (m, 2H), 1.91-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.74-1.63 (m, 1H), 0.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.0, 175.6, 136.7, 133.6, 131.2, 128.1, 127.4, 118.6, 47.4, 46.9, 41.3, 30.3 (2C), 19.6, 8.3; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3072, 2970, 2941, 2880, 1678, 1448, 1384, 1283, 1147, 916, 725, 694 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₂NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 272.1645, found 272.1649; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −28.6° (c 1.15, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 4

See Jakubec, et al., “Cyclic Imine Nitro-Mannich/Lactamization Cascades: A Direct Stereoselective Synthesis of Multicyclic Piperidinone Derivatives,” Org. Lett. 10, 4267-4270 (2008), the entire content of which is incorporated by reference. Benzoyl lactam 4 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% Et₂O in hexanes) as a white solid. 84.8% yield. R_(f)=0.48 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.54 (dd, J=8.1, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 7.52-7.46 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.22 (m, 3H), 7.18-7.11 (m, 2H), 5.80 (dddd, J=16.8, 10.1, 7.6, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 5.21-5.06 (m, 2H), 3.70 (ddd, J=12.2, 7.0, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 3.63 (ddd, J=12.5, 7.7, 4.4 Hz, 1H), 3.34 (d, J=13.4 Hz, 1H), 2.73-2.64 (m, 1H), 2.68 (d, J=13.3 Hz, 1H), 2.25 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.03-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.91-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.81 (dd, J=6.7, 5.3 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.4, 175.5, 136.9, 136.6, 133.2, 131.4, 130.8, 128.2, 128.1, 127.6, 126.7, 119.3, 48.8, 46.8, 43.0, 42.9, 28.9, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3061, 3028, 2942, 1679, 1449, 1286, 1149, 919, 724, 704, 695 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₂H₂₄NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 334.1802, found 334.1800; [α]_(D) ²⁵ +48.1° (c 0.825, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 5

Benzoyl lactam 5 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 25% Et₂O in hexanes) as a light yellow oil. 91.8% yield. R_(f)=0.39 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.53-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.31 (m, 2H), 5.72 (ddt, J=17.4, 10.3, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.23-5.05 (m, 2H), 3.78 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.58-2.47 (m, 1H), 2.42-2.24 (m, 3H), 2.08-1.97 (m, 4H), 1.93 (ddd, J=14.0, 7.8, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 1.78 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.1, 4.9 Hz, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.4, 175.5, 173.7, 136.5, 132.6, 131.4, 128.2, 127.4, 119.4, 51.7, 47.0, 46.6, 41.2, 32.2, 31.2, 29.0, 19.4; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3073, 2950, 2874, 1736, 1679, 1448, 1281, 1150, 920, 727, 696, 665 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₉H₂₄NO₄ [M+H]⁺: 330.1700, found 330.1704; [α]_(D) ²⁵ +14.0° (c 0.72, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 6

Benzoyl lactam 6 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15 to 25% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 88.2% yield. R_(f)=0.43 (35% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.52-7.47 (m, 3H), 7.41 (ddt, J=8.7, 6.6, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 5.71 (ddt, J=17.4, 10.1, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.28-5.15 (m, 2H), 3.88-3.79 (m, 1H), 3.76 (ddd, J=12.9, 8.7, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 2.57 (ddt, J=14.1, 7.3, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.44-2.29 (m, 3H), 2.13-2.04 (m, 2H), 2.03-1.89 (m, 3H), 1.87-1.78 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 176.8, 175.2, 136.2, 131.7, 131.5, 128.3, 127.3, 120.3, 119.5, 47.0, 46.5, 41.1, 32.7, 30.8, 19.2, 12.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3074, 2945, 2876, 1678, 1448, 1389, 1282, 1151, 922, 727, 696 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₁N₂O₂ [M+H]⁺: 297.1598, found 297.1603; [α]_(D) ²⁵ +46.9° (c 0.83, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 7

Benzoyl lactam 7 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 15% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 85.4% yield. R_(f)=0.32 (10% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.54-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.42 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.33 (m, 2H), 5.76 (ddt, J=17.3, 10.2, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.18-5.06 (m, 2H), 3.81-3.75 (m, 2H), 3.75-3.64 (m, 2H), 2.55 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.33 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.10-1.94 (m, 4H), 1.94-1.85 (m, 1H), 1.81 (ddd, J=13.9, 7.3, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 0.88 (s, 9H), 0.04 (s, 6H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.6, 175.5, 136.8, 133.4, 131.2, 128.1, 127.4, 118.9, 59.2, 46.9, 46.3, 42.2, 39.7, 30.8, 25.9, 19.6, 18.2, −5.4; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2953, 2928, 2884, 2856, 1681, 1280, 1257, 1151, 1093, 836, 776, 725, 694 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₃H₃₆NO₃Si [M+H]⁺: 402.2459, found 402.2467; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −3.71° (c 1.40, CHCl₃, 96% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 8

Benzoyl lactam 8 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 9% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 78.0% yield. R_(f)=0.54 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.54-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.35 (m, 2H), 4.89 (t, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.70 (dt, J=2.1, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 3.94-3.84 (m, 1H), 3.74-3.63 (m, 1H), 2.75 (dd, J=13.8, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.13 (dd, J=13.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 2.08-1.94 (m, 3H), 1.69 (s, 3H), 1.68-1.61 (m, 1H), 1.37 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.8, 175.5, 141.9, 136.5, 131.3, 128.1, 127.4, 115.5, 47.2, 46.2, 44.0, 32.9, 26.9, 24.7, 19.8; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3070, 2940, 1678, 1448, 1274, 1144, 726 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₂NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 272.1645, found 272.1655; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −105.6° (c 0.99, CHCl₃, 97% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 9

Benzoyl lactam 9 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 8 to 10% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 60.3% yield. R_(f)=0.39 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.55-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.34 (m, 2H), 5.32 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 5.18 (s, 1H), 3.92 (ddt, J=12.7, 4.8, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.75-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.04 (dd, J=14.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.50 (d, J=14.5 Hz, 1H), 2.16 (ddd, J=13.4, 10.2, 4.4 Hz, 1H), 2.12-1.98 (m, 2H), 1.86-1.77 (m, 1H), 1.43 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.9, 175.3, 138.3, 136.4, 131.4, 128.1, 127.4, 117.1, 47.0 (2C), 44.2, 32.8, 26.3, 19.7; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 2944, 2872, 1679, 1628, 1448, 1386, 1277, 1151, 894, 726 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₉NO₂Cl [M+H]⁺: 292.1099, found 292.1102; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −91.4° (c 0.94, CHCl₃, 95% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 10

Benzoyl lactam 10 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 10% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 90.3% yield. R_(f)=0.35 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.58-7.54 (m, 2H), 7.53-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 2H), 5.78 (dddd, J=17.1, 10.2, 7.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.22-5.09 (m, 2H), 3.87 (dd, J=7.7, 6.7 Hz, 2H), 2.36 (dd, J=13.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.24 (dd, J=13.7, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 2.15 (dt, J=12.9, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 1.85 (dt, J=13.1, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 1.22 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.6, 170.8, 134.4, 133.0, 131.8, 128.8, 127.7, 119.3, 46.2, 42.8, 41.8, 29.3, 22.8; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3075, 2974, 2902, 1742, 1674, 1448, 1377, 1357, 1306, 1243, 1156, 921, 860, 731, 694, 656 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₈NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 244.1332, found 244.1336; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −31.6° (c 1.04, CHCl₃, 98% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 11

Benzoyl lactam 11 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 89.3% yield. R_(f)=0.24 (20% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.60-7.56 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.51 (m, 1H), 7.49-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.42 (ddt, J=7.8, 6.7, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 5.83 (dddd, J=17.1, 10.1, 7.8, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 5.28-5.10 (m, 2H), 3.70 (dt, J=11.4, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (dt, J=11.4, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.10 (d, J=13.4 Hz, 1H), 2.76 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 2.48 (dd, J=13.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.32 (dd, J=13.8, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 2.05 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.1, 170.5, 140.9, 134.2, 132.3, 131.9, 130.7, 129.4 (q, J_(C-F)=32.5 Hz), 128.7, 127.7, 125.3 (q, J_(C-F)=3.7 Hz), 124.1 (q, J_(C-F)=272.2 Hz), 120.1, 51.3, 43.0, 41.9 (2C), 25.2; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3080, 2977, 2913, 1738, 1677, 1325, 1294, 1244, 1164, 1121, 1067, 859, 728, 701, 665 cm⁻¹; HRMS (FAB) m/z calc'd for C₂₂H₂₁NO₂F₃ [M+H]⁺: 388.1524, found 388.1525; [α]_(D) ²⁵ +78.3° (c 1.90, CHCl₃, 93% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 12

Benzoyl lactam 12 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a white solid. 85.7% yield. R_(f)=0.35 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.63-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.58-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.49-7.40 (m, 2H), 5.87-5.73 (m, 1H), 5.32-5.20 (m, 2H), 4.00 (ddd, J=11.5, 7.7, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 3.90-3.80 (m, 1H), 2.81-2.70 (m, 1H), 2.62-2.48 (m, 1H), 2.46-2.27 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 170.3, 169.7 (d, J_(C-F)=23.1 Hz), 133.4, 132.4, 129.7 (d, J_(C-F)=7.1 Hz), 129.0, 127.9, 121.0, 97.0 (d, J_(C-F)=185.4 Hz), 42.0 (d, J_(C-F)=2.3 Hz), 38.4 (d, J_(C-F)=25.2 Hz), 28.5 (d, J_(C-F)=22.6 Hz); IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3076, 1760, 1676, 1365, 1314, 1253, 1132, 1058, 1008, 980, 920, 863, 791, 729 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₄H₁₅NO₂F [M+H]⁺: 248.1081, found 248.1092; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −120.5° (c 1.11, CHCl₃, 98% ee).

4-Methoxybenzoyl Lactam 13:

The reaction was performed in MTBE at 40° C. 4-Methoxybenzoyl lactam 13 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 8% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 83.2% yield. R_(f)=0.48 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.56-7.48 (m, 2H), 6.91-6.82 (m, 2H), 5.86-5.66 (m, 1H), 5.18-5.02 (m, 2H), 4.03 (ddd, J=15.0, 8.0, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (ddd, J=15.1, 8.5, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.50 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 1.92-1.77 (m, 4H), 1.77-1.62 (m, 2H), 1.31 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 182.3, 174.7, 162.2, 133.9, 130.0, 128.9, 118.6, 113.5, 55.4, 47.7, 44.7, 43.0, 35.1, 28.2, 25.0, 23.4; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3074, 2932, 1673, 1605, 1511, 1279, 1255, 1168, 1112, 1025, 837 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₈H₂₄NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 302.1751, found 302.1744; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −34.70 (c 0.75, CHCl₃, 93% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 14

Benzoyl lactam 14 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 91.4% yield. R_(f)=0.36 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.55-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.47 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.37 (m, 2H), 5.90 (ddt, J=17.3, 10.3, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.26-5.10 (m, 2H), 4.12-3.95 (m, 3H), 3.94-3.81 (m, 1H), 2.71 (ddt, J=14.1, 7.3, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.47 (ddt, J=14.1, 7.0, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 1.48 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.3, 173.1, 135.7, 132.1, 131.7, 128.1, 127.7, 119.3, 80.3, 59.4, 45.7, 43.1, 23.3; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3075, 2978, 2894, 1685, 1448, 1373, 1283, 1227, 1111, 1092, 921, 726, 694 cm⁻¹; HRMS (FAB) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₈NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 260.1287, found 260.1277; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −72.1° (c 0.97, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Lactam 15

Benzoyl lactam 15 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5 to 10% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 88.8% yield. R_(f)=0.35 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.62-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.53-7.47 (m, 1H), 7.44-7.37 (m, 2H), 5.87-5.70 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.15 (m, 2H), 3.91 (dddd, J=12.8, 6.0, 4.7, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (dddd, J=13.6, 9.2, 4.5, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 2.86-2.60 (m, 2H), 2.33-2.14 (m, 2H), 2.13-1.89 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 174.5, 170.8 (d, J_(C-F)=23.5 Hz), 135.0, 132.0, 130.6 (d, J_(C-F)=6.5 Hz), 128.3, 128.0, 120.4, 93.9 (d, J_(C-F)=179.3 Hz), 46.4, 40.0 (d, J_(C-F)=23.6 Hz), 32.1 (d, J_(C-F)=22.5 Hz), 19.1 (d, J_(C-F)=4.6 Hz); IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3078, 2956, 1715, 1687, 1478, 1449, 1435, 1390, 1288, 1273, 1175, 1152, 1000, 930, 725, 694, 662 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₅H₁₆NO₂F [M+H]⁺: 262.1238, found 262.1244; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −120.6° (c 1.09, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Benzoyl Glutarimide 16

Benzoyl glutarimide 16 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 17 to 25% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 81% yield. R_(f)=0.21 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.83 (d, J=8.29 Hz, 2H), 7.63 (t, J=7.45 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (dd, J=8.29, 7.45 Hz, 2H), 5.77 (dddd, J=17.4, 10.2, 7.4, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.22-5.16 (m, 2H), 2.87-2.77 (m, 2H), 2.59 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.40 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.4, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.12 (ddd, J=14.2, 7.73, 6.81 Hz, 1H), 1.85 (ddd, J=14.2, 6.5, 6.1 Hz, 1H), 1.37 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 176.6, 171.6, 170.9, 134.8, 132.0, 131.9, 130.0, 129.1, 120.0, 41.9, 41.7, 29.2, 28.2, 22.8; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3077, 2975, 2935, 1750, 1713, 1683, 1450, 1340, 1239, 1198, 981, 776 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₁₈NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 272.1281, found 272.1281; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −31.3° (c 1.00, CHCl₃, 94% ee).

Benzoyl Glutarimide 17

Benzoyl glutarimide 17 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 17 to 25% EtOAc in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 86% yield. R_(f)=0.24 (25% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.83 (d, J=8.38 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (t, J=7.46 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (dd, J=8.38, 7.46 Hz, 2H), 5.75 (dddd, J=17.2, 10.2, 7.7, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.20-5.15 (m, 2H), 2.86-2.76 (m, 2H), 2.60 (ddt, J=14.0, 7.0, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.37 (ddt, J=14.0, 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.05 (ddd, J=14.3, 7.85, 6.81 Hz, 1H), 1.97 (ddd, J=14.3, 6.56, 6.24 Hz, 1H), 1.87-1.75 (m, 2H), 0.97 (t, J=7.46, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.9, 171.6, 171.0, 134.8, 132.4, 131.9, 130.0, 129.0, 119.8, 45.4, 39.3, 29.0, 28.1, 25.4, 8.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3076, 2974, 2940, 2882, 1750, 1713, 1683, 1450, 1340, 1239, 1195, 1001, 923, 778 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₀NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 286.1438, found 286.1432; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −16.2° (c 1.00, CHCl₃, 96% ee).

Acyl Lactam 18

Acyl lactam 18 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 88.4% yield. R_(f)=0.40 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.32-7.17 (m, 3H), 7.17-7.09 (m, 2H), 5.77 (dddd, J=17.0, 10.3, 7.9, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 5.19-5.05 (m, 2H), 3.60-3.48 (m, 1H), 3.44 (dddd, J=13.0, 7.0, 4.6, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 3.27 (d, J=13.3 Hz, 1H), 2.68 (d, J=13.2 Hz, 1H), 2.66-2.62 (m, 1H), 2.51 (s, 3H), 2.23 (ddt, J=13.5, 7.9, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 1.90-1.61 (m, 3H), 1.57-1.38 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.0, 174.2, 137.1, 133.2, 130.4, 128.3, 126.8, 119.2, 49.7, 45.1, 44.8, 44.5, 29.0, 27.6, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3028, 2941, 1691, 1367, 1291, 1247, 111178, 1131, 1031, 923 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₇H₂₂NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 272.1645, found 272.1646; [α]_(D) ²⁵ +11.4° (c 1.03, CHCl₃, 88% ee).

Phenyl Carbamate Lactam 19

Phenyl Carbamate lactam 19 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 82.2% yield. R_(f)=0.39 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.40-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.21 (m, 1H), 7.20-7.15 (m, 2H), 5.79 (dddd, J=16.7, 10.4, 7.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.18-5.08 (m, 2H), 3.89-3.82 (m, 1H), 3.78-3.70 (m, 1H), 2.55 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.0, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.33 (ddt, J=13.6, 7.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.00-1.85 (m, 3H), 1.70-1.59 (m, 1H), 1.30 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.3, 153.8, 150.8, 133.3, 129.3, 125.9, 121.5, 118.9, 48.2, 45.0, 44.1, 33.0, 25.3, 19.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3074, 2939, 2870, 1783, 1733, 1718, 1494, 1299, 1265, 1203, 1153, 991, 920 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₂₀NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 274.1438, found 274.1444; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −81.6° (c 1.11, CHCl₃, 94% ee).

Benzyl Carbamate Lactam 20

Benzyl carbamate lactam 20 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 30% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 85.9% yield. R_(f)=0.41 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.46-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.37 (ddd, J=7.4, 6.3, 1.5 Hz, 2H), 7.35-7.30 (m, 1H), 5.74 (dddd, J=15.9, 11.0, 7.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 5.28 (s, 2H), 5.18-5.06 (m, 2H), 3.77-3.63 (m, 2H), 2.33 (ddt, J=13.8, 6.9, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.24 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (ddd, J=12.9, 8.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 1.74 (ddd, J=13.2, 7.7, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 1.19 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.0, 151.7, 135.3, 133.0, 128.6, 128.3, 128.1, 119.1, 68.0, 45.5, 42.9, 41.7, 29.5, 22.6; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3066, 2973, 2930, 2903, 1789, 1750, 1719, 1456, 1380, 1363, 1301, 1217, 1001, 919, 776, 736 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₂₀NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 274.1438, found 274.1438; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −41.4° (c 1.02, CHCl₃, 91% ee).

4-Phenylbenzoyl Lactam 21

4-Phenylbenzoyl lactam 21 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 15% Et₂O in pentane) as a colorless oil. 84.6% yield. R_(f)=0.43 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.64-7.57 (m, 6H), 7.45 (ddd, J=7.8, 6.7, 1.1 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.34 (m, 1H), 5.84-5.70 (m, 1H), 5.20-5.09 (m, 2H), 3.91-3.82 (m, 1H), 3.74 (ddd, J=12.1, 7.4, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.59 (ddd, J=13.7, 7.0, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.32 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.7, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.10-1.91 (m, 3H), 1.77-1.64 (m, 1H), 1.34 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 179.1, 175.1, 144.2, 140.2, 135.1, 133.3, 128.8, 128.1, 127.8, 127.2, 126.9, 119.0, 47.2, 44.0, 43.3, 33.3, 25.2, 19.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3073, 2938, 2869, 1677, 1607, 1478, 1383, 1295, 1279, 1145, 922, 849, 743, 698 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₂H₂₄NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 334.1802, found 334.1812; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −82.6° (c 0.75, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

1-Naphthoyl Lactam 22

1-Naphthoyl lactam 22 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a white solid. 86.3% yield. R_(f)=0.42 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.03-7.97 (m, 1H), 7.90-7.83 (m, 2H), 7.55-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.42 (dd, J=8.1, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=7.1, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 5.64 (dddd, J=17.2, 10.2, 7.6, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 5.16-4.97 (m, 2H), 4.05 (dddd, J=12.8, 6.3, 5.2, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 3.95-3.82 (m, 1H), 2.43 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.19 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.11-1.99 (m, 2H), 1.99-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.73-1.64 (m, 1H), 1.18 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 178.5, 174.3, 135.8, 133.6, 133.1, 130.0, 129.8, 128.4, 126.9, 126.2, 124.9, 124.5, 123.3, 118.9, 46.4, 44.1, 43.3, 33.2, 24.8, 19.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3062, 2937, 2869, 1702, 1677, 1381, 1295, 1251, 1147, 923, 781 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₂₀H₂₂NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 308.1645, found 308.1648; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −102.3° (c 1.12, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

2-Naphthoyl Lactam 23

2-Naphthoyl lactam 23 was isolated by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 20% Et₂O in hexanes) as a colorless oil. 82.1% yield. R_(f)=0.42 (35% Et₂O in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.10 (dd, J=1.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.93-7.76 (m, 3H), 7.63-7.43 (m, 3H), 5.87-5.67 (m, 1H), 5.21-5.06 (m, 2H), 3.95-3.84 (m, 1H), 3.84-3.72 (m, 1H), 2.58 (ddt, J=13.8, 7.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 2.33 (ddt, J=13.7, 7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.12-1.89 (m, 3H), 1.71 (ddt, J=10.9, 4.9, 4.3, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 1.34 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 179.0, 175.3, 134.6, 133.7, 133.3, 132.5, 128.9, 128.1, 127.7 (2C), 127.5, 126.4, 124.1, 118.9, 47.2, 44.0, 43.3, 33.3, 25.1, 19.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3059, 2938, 2869, 1677, 1467, 1383, 1293, 1234, 1165, 1139, 923, 862, 822, 780, 762 cm⁻¹; HRMS (FAB) m/z calc'd for C₂₀H₂₂NO₂ [M+H]⁺: 308.1650, found 308.1638; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −257.4° (c 0.92, CHCl₃, 97% ee).

Procedures for the Conversion of Benzoyl Lactam 3 to Various Derivatives

The benzoyl lactam 3 compound was converted to various derivatives via the reactions described below (and depicted in Benzoyl Lactam 3 Reaction Schemes 1 and 2).

Piperidin-2-One 24

To a solution of lactam 3 (2.00 g, 7.37 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in MeOH (188 mL) was added a solution of LiOH.H₂O (464 mg, 11.1 mmol, 1.50 equiv) in H₂O (75 mL). After 20 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and diluted with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (100 mL) and EtOAc (75 mL). The phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (4×75 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (3×25 cm SiO₂, 40 to 60% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford known lactam 24 as a colorless oil (1.18 g, 96% yield). See Jakubec, et al., “Cyclic Imine Nitro-Mannich/Lactamization Cascades: A Direct Stereoselective Synthesis of Multicyclic Piperidinone Derivatives,” Org. Lett. 10, 4267-4270 (2008), the entire content of which is incorporated by reference. R_(f)=0.21 (50% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.05 (br s, 1H), 5.88-5.66 (m, 1H), 5.12-4.95 (m, 2H), 3.25 (td, J=5.8, 1.9 Hz, 2H), 2.48 (ddt, J=13.6, 6.7, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.18 (ddt, J=13.6, 8.1, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 1.87-1.62 (m, 5H), 1.49 (dq, J=13.5, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 0.89 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); [α]_(D) ²⁵ −13.7° (c 0.57, CHCl₃, 99% ee).

Piperidine 25

To a solution of piperidin-2-one 24 (250 mg, 1.49 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in ether (14.9 mL) was added lithium aluminum hydride (170 mg, 4.48 mmol, 3.0 equiv) (Caution: Gas evolution and exotherm). After stirring at ambient temperature for 5 min, the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 36 h, cooled (0° C.), and quenched with saturated aqueous K₂CO₃ (20 mL, Caution: Gas evolution and exotherm). The phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with Et₂O (4×75 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide piperidine 23 (206 mg, 90% yield) as a colorless oil. R_(f)=0.29 (20% MeOH in DCM); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.76 (ddt, J=16.4, 10.6, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.10-4.96 (m, 2H), 2.81-2.68 (m, 2H), 2.53 (dd, J=13.0, 20.0 Hz, 2H), 2.06 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.02 (br s, 1H), 1.55-1.42 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.30 (m, 2H), 1.32 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 0.80 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 134.6, 116.9, 55.1, 47.0, 39.2, 34.9, 33.6, 27.7, 22.4, 7.1; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3298, 3073, 2963, 2931, 2853, 2799, 1638, 1462, 1125, 996, 911 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₀H₂₀N [M+H]⁺: 154.1590, found 154.1590; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −7.50 (c 0.80, MeOH, 96% ee).

Alcohol SI28

See Moss, et al., “Catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective alkylations with cyclic sulfamidates,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 568-571 (2010), the entire content of which is incorporated by reference. To a vigorously stirred mixture of benzoyl lactam 3 (291 mg, 1.07 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and NaIO₄ (915 mg, 4.28 mmol, 4.00 equiv) in CCl₄ (4.3 mL), MeCN (4.3 mL), and H₂O (6.5 mL) was added RuCl₃.H₂O (11.0 mg, 0.053 mmol, 0.05 equiv). After 28 h, the reaction mixture was diluted with half-saturated brine (30 mL) and extracted with DCM (5×25 mL). The combined organics were washed with half-saturated brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was suspended in Et₂O (30 mL) and filtered through a pad of celite. The celite pad was washed with Et₂O (2×15 mL), and the combined filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. This crude residue was used in the next step without further purification.

With cooling from a room temperature bath, the above residue was dissolved in THF (19 mL) and then treated with lithium aluminum hydride (487 mg, 12.9 mmol, 12.0 equiv) (Caution: Gas evolution and exotherm). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 12 h and then warmed to 40° C. for an addition 12 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled (0° C.) and dropwise treated with brine (20 mL, Caution: Gas evolution and exotherm). Once gas evolution had ceased the reaction mixture was diluted with half-saturated brine (20 mL) and EtOAc (20 mL). The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (5×50 mL). The combined organic phases were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (3×12 cm SiO₂, 35 to 70% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford alcohol SI28 as a colorless oil (162 mg, 61% yield for two steps). R_(f)=0.36 (75% EtOAc in hexanes); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.35-7.24 (m, 5H), 3.80-3.72 (m, 1H), 3.71-3.60 (m, 2H), 3.31 (br s, 1H), 2.85-2.70 (br s, 2H), 2.00-1.70 (br s, 4H), 1.66-1.45 (m, 3H), 1.35-1.10 (m, 3H), 0.81 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δZ 129.5, 128.4, 127.4, 63.9, 63.4, 59.4, 52.9, 39.9, 35.9, 35.1, 33.4, 22.4, 7.5; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3345 (br), 2933, 2793, 1453, 1350, 1115, 1040, 1028, 739 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₆H₂₆NO [M+H]⁺: 248.2009, found 248.2016.

Alcohol SI29

A mixture of alcohol SI28 (162.3 mg, 0.656 mmol, 1.00 equiv) and 20% Pd(OH)₂/C (50 mg) in MeOH (15 mL) was stirred under an H₂ atmosphere for 3.5 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite. The celite pad was washed with MeOH (2×15 mL), and the combined filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. This crude residue was used in the next step without further purification.

To a solution of the above residue in THF (10 mL) was added Boc₂O (150 mg, 0.689 mmol, 1.05 equiv). After stirring for 24 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and partitioned between DCM (20 mL) and saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (20 mL). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography (2×20 cm SiO₂, 15 to 35% EtOAc in hexanes) to afford alcohol SI29 as a colorless oil (130 mg, 77% yield for two steps). R_(f)=0.34 (35% EtOAc in hexanes); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.74-3.60 (m, 2H), 3.48 (br s, 1H), 3.31 (br s, 1H), 3.20 (br s, 1H), 2.96 (br s, 1H), 2.16 (br s, 1H), 1.66-1.55 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.42 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.40-1.27 (m, 2H), 1.25-1.15 (m, 1H), 0.83 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 155.2, 79.4, 58.7, 52.5, 44.5, 36.1, 35.3, 34.6, 28.4, 27.6, 21.2, 7.4; IR (Neat Film NaCl) 3439 (br), 2967, 2934, 2861, 1693, 1670, 1429, 1365, 1275, 1248, 1162, 1045, 865, 767 cm⁻¹; HRMS (MM: ESI-APCI) m/z calc'd for C₁₄H₂₈NO₃ [M+H]⁺: 258.2064, found 258.2069; [α]_(D) ²⁵ −7.0° (c 1.13, CHCl₃, 96% ee).

TABLE 4 Methods for the Determination of Enantiomeric Excess for the above Examples In the below Table, HPLC refers to high performance liquid chromatography and SFC refers supercritical fluid chromatography. Also, ChiralPak and Chiralcel refer to the companies from which the column resin (i.e., stationary phase) was obtained, and the lettering appearing after the company name refers to the specific material used. retention time retention time assay of major of minor entry product conditions isomer (min) isomer (min) % ee 1

  2a HPLC Chiralpak AD-H 5% EtOH in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 19.10 15.77 75 2

  2b HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 0.1% IPA in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 220 nm 15.22 18.10 81 3

  2c HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 3% EtOH in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 220 nm 18.68 17.60 86 4

  2d HPLC Chiralcel OD 3% EtOH in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 28.89 21.47 89 5

  2e HPLC Chiralcel OJ 1% IPA in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 10.15 9.71 91 6

  2f HPLC Chiralcel OD-H 3% IPA in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 15.73 18.12 99 7

  2g HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 2% IPA in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 29.12 19.74 99 8

  2h HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 5% IPA in hexanes isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 32.97 31.16 99 9

  3 SFC Chiralcel OJ-H 3% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 3.85 2.49 99 10

  4 SFC Chiralcel OD-H 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 3.84 3.20 99 11

  5 HPLC Chiralpak AD-H 3% EtOH in hexane isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 32.69 27.83 99 12

  6 SFC Chiralpak IC 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 2.67 3.84 99 13

  7 HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 3% IPA in hexane isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 7.75 5.95 96 14

  8 HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 8% IPA in hexane isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 25.94 19.12 97 15

  9 HPLC Chiralpak AD 2% IPA in hexane isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 18.72 27.05 95 16

  10 SFC Chiralcel OJ-H 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 2.93 1.84 98 17

  11 SFC Chiralcel OJ-H 5% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 2.31 3.73 93 18

  12 SFC Chiralpak AD-H 15% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 4.16 5.05 99 19

  13 HPLC Chiralcel OJ-H 5% IPA in hexane isocratic, 1.0 mL/min 254 nm 29.16 24.82 93 20

  14 SFC Chiralpak AD-H 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 1.96 1.41 99 21

  15 SFC Chiralcel OJ-H 5% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 2.55 2.25 99 22

  16 SFC Chiralcel OJ-H 3% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 3.05 2.72 94 23

  17 SFC Chiralpak OJ-H 3% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 3.28 2.87 96 24

  18 SFC Chiralpak AD-H 3% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 3.0 mL/min 235 nm 4.03 4.69 88 25

  19 SFC Chiralcel OB-H 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 210 nm 2.65 2.39 94 26

  20 SFC Chiralpak AD-H 15% MeOH in C isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 210 nm 4.23 2.51 91 27

  21 SFC Chiralcel OJ-H 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 4.53 3.80 99 28

  22 SFC Chiralcel OB-H 10% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 210 nm 4.05 4.60 99 29

  23 SFC Chiralpak AD-H 20% MeOH in CO₂ isocratic, 5.0 mL/min 254 nm 3.73 2.93 97

Piperazinone Examples

Some exemplary piperazinone building blocks were prepared according to the below reaction schemes.

Preparation of Piperazinone Building Block Compound 2

Piperazinone building block compound 2 was prepared according the following Piperazinone Reaction Scheme 1 according to the following reaction particulars.

According to the above Piperazinone Reaction Scheme 1, in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 2 dram vial was charged with Pd₂dba₃ (21.3 mg, 0.023 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-Bu-PHOX (34.3 mg, 0.058 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (10 mL), and a magnetic stir bar. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and 1 (182 mg, 0.464 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added as a solution in toluene (5 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. After 17 hours, complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate) to afford piperazinone 2 (145 mg, 0.413 mmol, 89% yield) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.57-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.50-7.47 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.26 (m, 7H), 6.10-6.02 (m, 1H), 5.19-5.13 (m, 2H), 4.02 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 3.89-3.86 (m, 1H), 3.62-3.57 (m, 1H), 3.42 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 2.91-2.79 (m, 3H), 2.66-2.62 (m, 1H), 1.41 (s, 3H).

Preparation of Piperazinone Building Block Compound 4

Piperazinone building block compound 4 was prepared according the following Piperazinone Reaction Scheme 2 according to the following reaction particulars.

According to Piperazinone Reaction Scheme 2, in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 2 dram vial was charged with Pd₂dba₃ (22.9 mg, 0.025 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-Bu-PHOX (37.0 mg, 0.063 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (10 mL), and a magnetic stir bar. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and 3 (203 mg, 0.50 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added as a solution in toluene (5 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. After 7 hours, complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate) to afford piperazinone 4 (161 mg, 0.445 mmol, 89% yield) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.57-7.51 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.40 (m, 7H), 5.89-5.81 (m, 1H), 5.26-5.18 (m, 2H), 4.16-4.12 (m, 1H), 3.82-3.69 (m, 2H), 3.63-3.50 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.85 (m, 1H), 1.99 (s, 3H).

Preparation of Piperazinone Building Block Compound 6

Piperazinone building block compound 6 was prepared according the following Piperazinone Reaction Scheme 3 according to the following reaction particulars.

According to Piperazinone Reaction Scheme 3, in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 2 dram vial was charged with Pd₂dba₃ (1.7 mg, 0.002 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-Bu-PHOX (2.5 mg, 0.0047 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (0.5 mL), and a magnetic stir bar. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and 5 (15.5 mg, 0.038 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added as a solution in toluene (0.5 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. After 18 hours, complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate) to afford piperazinone 6 (12.5 mg, 0.033 mmol, 87% yield) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.66-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.26 (m, 5H), 6.90-6.86 (m, 2H), 5.63 (ddt, J=17.0, 10.3, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 5.19-5.12 (m, 2H), 4.02 (d, J=13.7 Hz, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.83-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.62-3.53 (m, 1H), 3.41 (d, J=13.7 Hz, 2H), 2.91-2.79 (m, 3H), 2.66-2.59 (m 1H), 1.45 (s, 3H).

Additional Examples

Some additional building block compounds were prepared according to the below reaction schemes.

Preparation of Acyclic Building Block Compound 2

Acyclic building block compound 2 was prepared from acyclic substrate compound 1 according to the following Acyclic Reaction Scheme.

According to the Acyclic Reaction Scheme above, in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 20 mL vial was charged with Pd₂pmdba₃ (27.4 mg, 0.025 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-Bu-PHOX (37.0 mg, 0.0625 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (13 mL), and a magnetic stir bar. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and 1 (144.6 mg, 0.50 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added as a solution in toluene (2 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. After 37 hours, complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 3×25 cm, 19:1→14:1→9:1 hexane:diethyl ether) to afford imide 2 (66.2 mg, 0.013 mmol, 53.9% yield) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.68-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.52-7.43 (m, 2H), 5.70 (ddt, J=17.2, 10.2 Hz, 1H), 2.28-2.18 (m, 1, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 5.09-4.97 (m, 2H), 3.19 (s, 3H), 2.99 (tt, J=7.6, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.40 (dtt, J=13.9, 7.5, 11H), 1.72 (dp, J=13.4, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 1.60-1.47 (m, 1H), 0.88 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H).

Preparation of Lactone Building Block Compound 4

Lactone building block compound 4 was prepared from lactone substrate compound 3 according to the following Lactone Reaction Scheme.

According to the Lactone Reaction Scheme, above, in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 20 mL vial was charged with Pd₂dba₃ (27.4 mg, 0.025 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)-t-Bu-PHOX (24.2 mg, 0.0625 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (13 mL), and a magnetic stir bar. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and 3 (99.0 mg, 0.50 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added as a solution in toluene (2 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. After 30 hours, complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and taken up in 10 mL THF. The solution was cooled to 0° C. with an ice-water bath and LiBH₄ (1.0 mL 2.0 M solution in THF, 2.0 mmol, 4 equiv) was added. After 30 minutes stirring, an additional charge of LiBH₄ 1.0 mL 2.0 M solution in THF, 2.0 mmol, 4 equiv) was added. After 40 additional minutes of stirring, the ice-water bath was removed to allow the reaction to warm to room temperature (˜21° C.). After more hours stirring at room temperature, the reaction was complete as observed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of water and ethyl acetate. A 1.0 M solution of HCl in water was added slowly. The aqueous phase was extracted five times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting crude product was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 1.5×20 cm, 19:1→7:3→1:1→7:3 hexane:diethyl ether) to afford diol 4 (77.1 mg, 0.049 mmol, 97.4% yield) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.84 (ddt, J=16.4, 10.5, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.11-5.02 (m, 2H), 4.12 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.69-3.51 (m, 2H), 3.37 (d, J=0.8 Hz, 2H), 2.08-1.92 (m, 3H), 1.62-1.42 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.18 (m, 2H), 0.86 (s, 3H).

Preparation of Imide Building Block Compound 6

Imide building block compound 6 was prepared from imide substrate compound 6 according to the following Imide Reaction Scheme.

According to the Imide Reaction Scheme, above, in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, an oven-dried 2 dram vial was charged with Pd₂pmdba₃ (5.0 mg, 0.005 mmol, 0.05 equiv), (S)—(CF₃)₃-t-Bu-PHOX (7.7 mg, 0.013 mmol, 0.125 equiv), toluene (3 mL), and a magnetic stir bar. The vial was stirred at ambient glovebox temperature (˜28° C.) for 30 min and 5 (33 mg, 0.10 mmol, 1.00 equiv) was added as a solution in toluene (0.3 mL). The vial was sealed and heated to 40° C. After 5 days, complete consumption of the starting material was observed by colorimetric change (from light green to red-orange) and confirmed by thin layer chromatography on SiO₂. The reaction mixture was removed from the glovebox, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 4:1 hexane:ethyl acetate) to afford imide 6 (23 mg, 0.08 mmol, 80% yield) as a pale yellow oil; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.55-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.36 (dd, J=5.0, 2.0 Hz, 3H), 5.63 (ddt, J=17.3, 10.3, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 5.15-5.06 (m, 2H), 4.99 (s, 2H), 2.80-2.65 (m, 2H), 2.45 (ddt, J=14.2, 7.0, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.26 (ddt, J=14.0, 8.0, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 1.84-1.63 (m, 3H), 0.86 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H).

While certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of synthesizing a pharmaceutical compound comprising treating a compound of Formula (III):

with a transition metal catalyst under alkylation conditions, thereby forming a compound of Formula (IV):

wherein the compound of Formula (IV) comprises one of a (+) enantiomer or a (−) enantiomer in an enantiomeric excess of greater than 50%, wherein the transition metal catalyst is selected from Mo(CO)₆, Mo(MeCN)₃(CO)₃, W(CO)₆, W(MeCN)₃(CO)₃, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl, [Rh(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, Ru(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(MeCN)3PF₆, Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)₂, Ni[P(OEt)₃]₄, tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform adduct, bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)acetone)dipalladium(0), Pd(OC(═O)CH₃)₂, Pd(3,5-dimethyoxy-dibenzylideneacetone)₂, PdCl₂(R²³CN)₂; PdCl₂(PR²⁴R²⁵R²⁶)₂; [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂; and Pd(PR²⁴R²⁵R²⁶)₄, wherein R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, and R²⁶ are independently selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocycle, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, and substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, allylchloro[1,3-bis(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]palladium(II-), ([2S,3S]-bis[diphenylphosphino]butane)(η³-allyl)palladium(II) perchlorate, [S]-4-tert-butyl-2-(2-diphenylphosphanyl-phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-oxazole(η-³-allyl)palladium(II) hexafluorophosphate, [Pd(S-tBu-PHOX)(allyl)]PF₆, and cyclopentadienyl(η³-allyl) palladium(II); wherein, as valence and stability permit, X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—; Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—; A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—; W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—; R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl; R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, R⁸ and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, and when n is 2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form a 3-8-membered ring; R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and n is 0-3.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: X is —NR⁶—; A at each occurrence is —CR⁸R⁸—; W is selected from —NR¹⁰— and —CR¹¹R¹¹—; and n is 0-2.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: X is —O—; A at each occurrence is —CR⁸R⁸—; W is selected from —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—; and n is 0-2.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises a chiral ligand.
 5. A method comprising treating a compound of Formula (III):

with a transition metal catalyst under alkylation conditions, wherein the transition metal catalyst is selected from Mo(CO)₆, Mo(MeCN)₃(CO)₃, W(CO)₆, W(MeCN)₃(CO)₃, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl, [Rh(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂, Ru(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(MeCN)3PF₆, Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)2, Ni[P(OEt)₃]₄, tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform adduct, bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)acetone)dipalladium(0), Pd(OC(═O)CH₃)₂, Pd(3,5-dimethyoxy-dibenzylideneacetone)₂, PdCl₂(R²³CN)₂; PdCl₂(PR²⁴R²⁵R²⁶)₂; [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂; and Pd(PR²⁴R²⁵R²⁶)₄, wherein R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, and R²⁶ are independently selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocycle, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, and substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, allylchloro[1,3-bis(2,6-di-i-propylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]palladium(II-), ([2S,3S]-bis[diphenylphosphino]butane)(η³-allyl)palladium(II) perchlorate, [S]-4-tert-butyl-2-(2-diphenylphosphanyl-phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-oxazole(η-³-allyl)palladium(II) hexafluorophosphate, [Pd(S-tBu-PHOX)(allyl)]PF₆, and cyclopentadienyl(η³-allyl) palladium(II); wherein, as valence and stability permit, X is selected from —NR⁶— and —O—; Z is selected from —C(O)— and —CR⁷R⁷—; A is independently selected at each occurrence from —CR⁸R⁸— and —NR⁹—; W is absent or selected from —O—, —NR¹⁰—, and —CR¹¹R¹¹—; R¹ is selected from optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, and halogen; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl; R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyano, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, sulfate, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkyl, ether, thioether, ester, amide, thioester, carbonate, carbamate, urea, sulfonate, sulfone, sulfoxide, sulfonamide, acyl, acyloxy, acylamino, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, hetaralkyl, carbocyclylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl; wherein R⁷ and R⁸ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, R⁸ and R¹¹ may combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-8-membered ring, and when n is 2 or 3, R⁸ attached to one carbon may combine with R⁸ attached to another carbon to combine with the carbons to which they are bound to form a 3-8-membered ring; R⁶, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen, hydroxyl and optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aralkyloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, acyloxy, sulfone, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, and amide; and n is 0-3, thereby synthesizing an intermediate; and synthesizing a pharmaceutical compound from the intermediate. 